HC grants bail to construction firm officials

Madras High Court today granted conditional bail to six office bearers of a construction firm that was involved in the construction of a multi-storeyed building near here, which collapsed on June 28, claiming 61 lives.
Justice C T Selvam directed Manoharan, the Managing Director of Prime Sristi Housing Private Limited, Madurai to deposit a sum of Rs 61,00,000 to the Registrar Judicial within four weeks from today and balance amount of Rs 39,00,000 within eight weeks.
The judge also directed the Registrar to carefully identify the claimants on verification of their legal-heirship certificate, using the services of police, and effect such payment to each of the victims' families who will be entitled at the rate of Rs 1,00,000 to each family.

"The distribution of the further sum of Rs 39,00,000 shall be decided upon when the same is deposited before this court," the judge said.
"The payment of the sums under this order shall be without prejudice to the right of the legal heir/family of the victim seeking compensation under the other laws," he said.
Justice Selvam, who granted bail to all the six office bearers of the construction company, including the Managing Director, directed them to execute a personal bond of Rs 10,000 with two sureties like sum for the satisfaction of Judicial Magistrate, Sriperumbudur.

The judge directed them to stay at Madurai and report to Thallakulam Police Station daily till further orders besides surrendering their passports.

"In cases such as the present, the easier route to adopt would be pander to sentiment and deny bail. It is easy to forget the presumption of innocence," the judge said.
The petitioners have been in custody from June 29 and chargesheet filed on August 22.
"Thus the petitioners have been in custody for 87 days. For the reasons such as enabling the accused persons to raise their defense it is normal practice to grant bail after the investigation is completed. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this court directs the release of the petitioners on bail," the judge said.