The Hindu : Bail granted to Kolathur Mani

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 29, 2002

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Bail granted to Kolathur Mani

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE NOV. 28. The Karnataka High Court on Thursday ordered that T.S. Mani, alias Kolathur Mani, who is in judicial custody, be enlarged on conditional bail in three cases, registered by the Chamarajanagar East, Kollegal Rural and Ramapura police stations under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Forests Act, the Arms Act and the Explosive Substance Act.

While allowing the three criminal petitions filed by Mani seeking bail, Justice H.N. Narayan ordered that he execute a personal bond for Rs. 1 lakh and two sureties for a like sum before the court concerned.

The court directed Mani to appear before the Kollegal Rural Police once in 10 days and attend the court whenever it summoned him. He should also cooperate with the police in the investigation into cases registered against him and should not tamper with evidence.

The court asked the State Government if it was supporting or opposing the petitions. The Additional State Public Prosecutor, M. Mariswami Gowda, submitted that the State's stand was explained in the statement of objections, and it was left to the court to consider or reject the petitions.

All the cases registered against Mani pertained to his alleged association with the forest brigand, Veerappan. Police had alleged that Mani was supplying arms, ammunition, explosives and other materials to Veerappan. He was taken into custody by the STF at Changadi forest in Chamarajanagar district on March 8.

Mani had filed the petitions challenging the orders passed by the II Additional Sessions Judge, Mysore, rejecting his plea for bail. As far as cases registered by the Chamarajanagar and Kollegal police were concerned, he was the second accused, while the journalist, Sivasubramaniam, was the first accused.

Counsel for Mani, Krishnan and T. Prakash, pointed out that his name had not been mentioned in the FIR, and it had been added only in the chargesheet. Mani's arrest was based only on the implicating statements made by Sivasubramaniam and there was no direct evidence to link him to the offences alleged.

Moreover, Sivasubramaniam was already on bail and there was no meaning in denying the same to Mani.

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