All the fourteen accused arrested in the sensational murder case of prominent Madurai-based DMK functionary ‘Pottu’ Suresh in February this year were granted bail by the Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) on Tuesday.
Pottu Suresh, who was murdered by a gang, was a close associate of former Union Minister of Chemicals and DMK south zone organising secretary M K Alagiri.
However, an anticipatory bail petition filed on Monday by ‘Attack’ Pandi, the prime accused in the case who is absconding , was adjourned by the Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) on Monday.
The petition will now be heard by the third vacation court which will function on May 22 and 23.
Attack Pandi, also a DMK functionary, who was earlier close to former Minister Alagiri, has been accused of hatching a conspiracy to eliminate Suresh following an alleged intra-party feud over wielding their respective political clout.
Earlier in April, the High Court had stayed the bail granted by the lower court to seven of the accused - P Sabarathinam, M Santhanam, M Sekar, R Karthik, A Senthil, N Nagamurugan and S Lingam - after the jurisdictional Inspector expressed apprehension that they could intimidate witnesses in the case.
The seven accused had filed a fresh petition challenging the cancellation of bail granted to them.
Allowing the petitions, Justice KBK Vasuki directed them to appear and sign before the Pudukottai Judicial Magistrate daily until further orders.
Granting bail to the other accused - Vijaya Pandi, Prabhu, Sirpi Saravanan, Jothi Velan, Pandiarajan, Prem Kumar and Muthu Pandi, the judge directed them to appear before the Devakottai Judicial Magistrate daily until further orders are passed.