Erode: The Madras High Court has directed a special court in Erode to consider the bail applications of nine persons accused in a case arising from an alleged caste-related dispute over the burial of a 90-year-old man in Perumbali village, preferably on the day they surrender.
Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan passed the order on a Criminal Original Petition filed by the accused under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The petitioners have been directed to surrender before the competent jurisdictional court within 15 days of receiving a copy of the order.
The case relates to an incident on October 5, when members of the Scheduled Caste community allegedly faced opposition from members of a Most Backward Class community over the burial of Chenni in a common cemetery in Perumbali village, under Madathupalayam panchayat in Erode district.
During the dispute, two members of the Scheduled Caste community reportedly fell at the feet of members of the other community. The burial was subsequently conducted under police and Revenue Department protection.
Thingalur police initially registered a case against two persons, with seven others subsequently added during the investigation.
The High Court directed the special court to decide the bail pleas in accordance with law after providing the victim an opportunity of hearing under Section 15A of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
It also instructed the court to consider the gravity of the alleged offences and the antecedents of the accused. The High Court clarified that its direction to consider the applications promptly did not mean that bail must necessarily be granted.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Communities has sought a detailed report from the Erode Collector and Superintendent of Police by October 30.
