Former AIADMK Minister M Manikandan Arrested Over Sexual Assault Complaint By Actress

The arrest comes after the Madras High Court refused to grant advance bail to former AIADMK Minister M Manikandan, who apprehended arrest following registration of a sexual abuse complaint by actress Shanthini Theva, who earlier lived in Malaysia and is now settled in Chennai.

File Photo

Bengaluru: Former AIADMK minister M Manikandan has been arrested in Bengaluru by Chennai City Police for allegedly raping a Malaysian woman, causing miscarriage as well as for criminal intimidation.

"He was evading arrest after Madras High Court had refused him anticipatory bail," Tamil Nadu Police said.

The arrest comes after the Madras High Court refused to grant advance bail to M Manikandan, who apprehended arrest following registration of a sexual abuse complaint by actress Shanthini Theva, who previously lived in Malaysia and is now settled in Chennai.

The actress accused the former minister of making false promises to marry her and alleged that he had sexually assaulted her.

The actress said that the minister has issued death threats to her while he forced her to abort. The minister, who was already married, met her in Malaysia while she was working for Malaysian Tourism and the actress claimed that the minister made her get into the relationship. She said that she was in a relationship with the minister for five years. She shared WhatsApp conversations to prove her claims.

According to reports, Shantini further stated in her complaint that Manikandan had threatened to upload her personal photos and videos on the internet if she refused to leave the country.

Dismissing the application from Manikandan in Madras HC, Justice Abdul Quddhose pointed to the gravity of the alleged offences and the personality involved and said while the probe is in a preliminary stage, there is no merit in the petition seeking anticipatory bail.

The judge said that in the present case major offences were alleged to have been committed by the former minister which are grave in nature and there is also prima facie satisfaction about the registration of FIR.

The custodial interrogation is necessary to elicit information from the petitioner. If granted bail, there is every possibility of him escaping from the rigours of investigation by using his influence, the court said.

The alleged offences (sections 376-rape and 313 IPC causing miscarriage) are serious in nature and when the accused wields a wide influence, the custodial and effective interrogation of the accused is of tremendous advantage in getting information and also materials which would have been concealed,it said.

Liberty of the individual is desirable, but also desirable is the need to detect, investigate and prosecute those guilty of any offence in the interest of the public at large, the court added. 

(With inputs by agencies)