On Thursday, the Madras High Court in the case V Kannan v State observed and has granted conditional bail to Hindu Munnani office bearer and stunt master Kanal Kannan for his remarks, wherein seeking to demolish the statur of Periyar outside Srirangam temple. The bench comprising of Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan observed and has granted him bail on condition that he shall file an affidavit before the Egmore Court guaranteeing that he will not make any such statements in the future. The court also directed him to appear before the police two times for a period of four weeks.
In the present case, the petitioner, who was attending a meeting organised by Hindu Munnani had called for demolition of a statue of Periyar situated outside Sri Rangam Ranganathan temple. It was stated by him that the words on the statue of an atheist like Periyar would hurt the religious sentiments of people belonging to the Hindu Community.
It was contended by him that what he said was in fact true and that it was not against any law of the country. Further, it was stated by him that the words on the statue were in fact violative of Sections 153, 505(1X6), 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Mr. Kannan, while challenging the manner in which the arrest was made contended that the procedure under Section 41 CrPC was not followed. However, these factors are not considered by the courts below while dismissing the bail application.
However, the court while granting bail criticised that the recent trend of making such remarks. Thus, the court stated that it had become a fashion to make such comments.