HC grants interim stay on proceedings

The Madras High Court today granted interim stay on the proceedings of Special Court for Exclusive Trial Cases registered under SC&ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, against two persons, including a retired Professor.
Prof Kalyani was engaged by both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments for rescuing Kannada matinee idol (late) Rajkumar when he was abducted by sandalwood smuggler Veerappan and also appointed as convener and head of the committee for conducting camps among the Adidravidas and tribal communities.
Justice P.N.Prakash, before whom the criminal original petition filed by Kalyani and one P.V. Ramesh seeking to quash proceedings at the Special Court, Villupuram, came up, admitted the plea and granted interim stay on the proceedings and dispensed with their appearance.

The matter relates to a complaint given by one Thangamani against Professor Kalyani and Ramesh who prevented him from allegedly abducting four Irular community girls in the guise of protecting them when they were coming out of the Thirukkovilur court.
It is alleged by the prosecution that Kalyani and Ramesh scolded Thangamani by using his caste name.
Kalyani and Ramesh in their petition alleged that police had not acted on their complaint against Thangamani on December 2, 2011 with regard to the attempt to kidnap and has shown an immediate attention to the complaint given by Thangamani against them for reasons best known to them.

They alleged that the girls were subjected to sexual assault and abuse by the Thirukkovilur police personnel, five of whom, including an Inspector, were suspended.
They said the girls had gone to court in connection with the case and when they were coming out, Thangamani tried to abduct them and they were rescued as per their wishes.
The petitioners further alleged that the case against them under SC/ST Act was foisted as they were serving as social activists and sought quashing of the proceedings before the Thirukkovilur court.