Chennai: More than 50 Aam Aadmi Party workers, including four women, who were arrested last evening for laying a siege to the Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s residence in the city, demanding a CBI probe into the suicide of an agricultural department official, were today remanded in judicial custody.
All the 51 Aam Aadmi volunteers, including four women, were produced before a Magistrate at his residence in the city and were remanded in judicial custody for 15 days.
A statement from the party said no dinner or water were served to them for close to five hours after their arrest.The AAP volunteers stormed the Chief Minister’s residence protesting for around half-an-hour and demanding a CBI probe into the death of Agricultural Engineer S Muthukumarasamy.Mr Muthukumarasamy committed suicide by jumping before a speeding train in Tirunelvelli last month.
AAP alleged that the officer was under pressure from the then Agriculture Minister Agri Krishnamoorthy’s office for appointing drivers of the Minister’s choice in Tirunelvelli where the late officer was working.
Recently, Mr Krishnamoorthy was sacked from the State Cabinet and was also removed from all his party positions by AIADMK Chief Jayalalithaa.
The state government has transferred the investigation into the case to the Crime Branch Criminal Investigation Department (CBCID).
“The CBCID is still with the state government. Only a CBI probe can bring out the truth and there can be action against the former Minister if he’s guilty. If he was removed, there must be reason, we want to know why,” said Chandru, one of the protesting AAP member.
The AAP also demanded the arrest of the former Minister.Several political party leaders also demanded a CBI probe into the suicide and the arrest of Mr Krishnamurthy. (UNI )
