Madras HC Grants Conditional Bail To Former Min Manikandan In Rape Case

Manikandan rape case: The Madras High Court Wednesday granted conditional bail to former All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagan (AIADMK) minister M Manikandan in a case of rape.

A complaint in the case was filed by actor Chandini in May this year, accusing Manikandan of blackmailing and raping her on false promises of marriage. She also alleged the former Information Technology minister forced her to get an abortion multiple times.

Manikandan was booked for rape following the complaint and arrested on June 20.

Granting him relief, Justice M Nirmal Kumar said Manikadan should appear before the investigation team for two weeks and surrender his passport, Times of India reports.

The judge while passing the order for his bail noted that Manikandan had already been subjected to custodial interrogation following arrest.

About Manikandan Rape Case: A Recap Of Events

In May, Chandini spoke to the press revealing documents allegedly of chat exchanges with Manikandan, whom she accused of cheating and threats. From Malaysia, the actor first met Manikandan in 2017 on an India visit and the duo developed a relationship.

"I was allowed to visit the Assembly as his wife when the former Minister last delivered his address to the Assembly in 2019," her police complaint stated, as per reports. On the pretext of marriage, Manikandan, she alleged, continued to rape her and leak her private photos if she spoke up.

Manikandan's bail plea mentions the relationship he had with the complainant was "between two consenting adults". He added Chandini could not say "she consented for the relationship only on promise of marriage" since she was allegedly aware of his marital status. Keeping that in view, their sexual relationship, Manikandan's plea adds, would amount to intercourse and not rape.

Chandini had accused an aide of Manikandan as an accomplice in her assault and death threats as well.