Periyar statue row: Cops told to file counter on Kanal Kannan’s plea

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Monday directed the Chennai City Police to file a counter affidavit on September 1 on a bail application filed by stunt master Kanal Kannan who was arrested on charges of making a threat to demolish Periyar EVR statue in Srirangam.

Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan passed the direction on hearing the petition filed by Kannan. The petitioner who sought bail submitted that he does not believe what he said was against any law of the country.

“On the other hand, the existence of the statue with those words is certainly an offense punishable. The police department instead of taking action against the person who has erected the statue in front of the temple has unfortunately and unwittingly registered a case against this petitioner,” Kannan’s advocate said in the affidavit. The statue has words against worshipping God.

He further noted that while an anticipatory bail petition was pending before the HC, the police acted in a hasty manner to arrest him.

On attending a Hindu Munnani meeting in Maduravoyal, Kanal Kannan stated that a Periyar statue situated before the Srirangam temple should be demolished. Therefore, police arrested Kannan on the complaint of one Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam functionary.

It is noted that TPDK had also filed an interlocutory petition to dismiss Kannan's bail application. The judge posted the matter to September 1.