CHENNAI: THE Madras High Court has exempted M H Jawaharulla, president of T N Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) from surrendering before a lower court in connection with an FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) case, till the Ramzan festival is over.
Justice N Sathish Kumar granted the respite while passing interim orders on a petition from Jawaharulla, on Wednesday. He is observing fast and hence need not be disturbed, the judge said and adjourned the matter till June 29. According to prosecution, Jawaharulla and four others entered into a criminal conspiracy to do an illegal act between December 15, 1997 and June 20, 2000 and formed an association to accept foreign contribution.
He opened an account with the Bank of India in 1997 in the name of Coimbatore Muslim Relief Fund (CMRF) and in pursuance of the same, received foreign contribution to the tune of Rs 1.55 crore without permission from the RBI. The CBI booked Jawaharulla, S Hyder Ali and Sayed Nizar Ahmed, all office-bearers of TMMK and GM Sheik and Nalla Mohemmed Kalanjiam, from CMRF.
The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court on September 30, 2004 convicted the first three to one-year RI with a fine of Rs 10, 000 each and the other two to two years RI with a fine of Rs 10, 000 each. They appealed at the Special Court for CBI cases, which upheld the sentence, last week. Hence, the present plea.