Anticipatory bail plea of Chelladurai posted for hearing

The Madras High Court Bench here today posted the anticipatory bail application of AIADMK leader Chelladurai, accused of demolishing part of Nayek Queen Rani Mangamma Palace here, a heritage building, for hearing to August one.
Senior counsel for Chelladurai contended that the petitioner was not present at the spot during the demolition.
"The petitioner owned a building adjacent to the Palace. The contractor engaged by him to demolish his building had inadvertently demolished a small portion, which housed the office of the PWD Periyar-Vaigai Basin Circle," he said.
The petitioner had given an undertaking to the PWD to renovate the damaged portion of the Palace. Chelladurai had also submitted before the court that he was willing to restore the damaged portion and pleaded for anticipatory bail, the counsels said.

Chelladurai had been suspended from the party after his name appeared in the FIR.
The heritage building, constructed in 1689, suffered damage while demolishing an adjacent building near the famous Sri Meenakshi Temple on July 26, over which Chelladurai claims ownership.
Six persons, including son and son-in-law of Chellathurai, had already been arrested in connection with the incident.