10 Malaysians held for sneak out bid get bail

Counsel for the petitioners submitted that they came to India on the tourist visa but could not return due to the lockdown.

“They have not committed any offence. Further, many people who were arrested throughout Tamil Nadu on similar charges were released on bail,” submitted the counsel, praying for bail.

He also cited the High Court order granting bail to Thailand citizens.

Recording the submissions, Principal Sessions Judge R Selvakumar granted bail, directing them to execute own bond for Rs 10,000 each before the Superintendent of concerned prison. They have been barred from leaving Chennai until further orders.

They should also surrender their passports to the prison officials and inform the Corporation Commissioner their residence in Chennai.

They should remain in quarantined there, and should not indulge in preaching, the judge added.

They were arrested by the Central Crime Branch for the offences punishable under section 188, 269, 270, 271 of IPC and section 3 of Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and section 134, 135 of Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, and section 51(b) of National Disaster Management Act, 2005 r/w Section 13 and 14 of Foreigners Act.