Former DMK minister surrenders over land grabbing charges

Senior DMK leader and former minister Veerapandi Arumugam on Monday surrendered before police for three-day custodial interrogation in connection with two cases of alleged land grabbing lodged against him.

Arumugam surrendered before the District Crime Branch Police at 10 am following a directive from the Madras High Court on July 22, police said.

The former Agriculture Minister is listed as accused No.1 in two cases of land grabbing, one in which he allegedly evicted over 23 people from a colony in the district to take over the land and the other involving property worth over Rupees 85 crore in the area.

The second case against Arumugam and 12 others was filed under various IPC Sections including 147 (punishment for rioting) besides Tamil Nadu Public Properties Damages Act 1994. In his July 22 order, Justice G Rajasuria said Arumugam should be produced before the Salem Judicial Magistrate on July 27.

The judge said for obtaining bail, the former DMK minister should secure two sureties and a bond for Rupee 25,000. On July 19, three persons were arrested in Salem in connection with the two cases.