Two TNTJ district functionaries seek anticipatory bail
The Hindu
Madurai
Two functionaries of the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ) have filed a petition before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail. During a protest, recently organised by TNTJ in Madurai condemning the Karnataka High Court’s verdict on the Hijab issue, a member is said to have issued threats to the judges who had delivered the verdict.
Justice K. Murali Shankar adjourned the hearing in the case by one week. The petitioners Asan Basha and Habibullah of Madurai said that a false case was registered against them and they were innocent. They said they were the sole breadwinners of their family and sought anticipatory bail.
The case of the prosecution is, on March 17, Sub-Inspector of Police N. Shanmuganathan was patrolling near the Goripalayam dargah, while a protest was being staged by the members of the TNTJ. They criticised the verdict of the Karnataka High Court in the Hijab case. During the protest the main accused Rahmathullah, a functionary, issued threats to the HC judges.
Based on the complaint of the Sub-Inspector, the Tallakulam police booked a case against Rahmathullah for making an inciting speech and also for criminal intimidation. The police also booked a case against the two TNTJ District functionaries for organising a public meeting without proper permission. The main accused Rahmathullah has been arrested.
The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.