Madras HC grants bail for youth arrested for throwing mud at Minister Ponmudy

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court granted bail to a youngster booked for allegedly throwing mud at Forest Minister K Ponmudy while inspecting damage incurred by Cyclone Fengal at Villupuram.

On Thursday, Justice Sunder Mohan granted bail to Ramakrishnan of Iruvelpattu village in Villupuram and disposed of his bail petition.

Advocate A Ashvathaman, on behalf of the petitioner, submitted that it was a false case forged against his client. "The petitioner was lodged behind bars for more than 20 days without proof, though the maximum punishment for the alleged charge is below two years, there is no need for arrest for the alleged offences," said the advocate.

On December 3, minister Ponmudy, his son and Kallakurichi MP Gautham Sigamani, and district officials visited various cyclone-affected areas in Villupuram.

As hundreds of villagers at Iruvelpattu staged a protest accusing the State of not providing them any relief and rehabilitation, the minister reached the spot to pacify the protesters.

While the minister tried to console the public, some unidentified persons hurled mud at him and other officials. The issue mooted debate across the political spectrum as the videograph of mud hurled at the minister went viral on social media.