Rajagopal surrenders, but no cops to arrest him

Madras high court witnessed a piquant situation on Monday.

When the owner of Saravana group of hotels, P Rajagopal, and his accomplices came to surrender at the fourth additional court following their conviction in a murder case, there was no police to arrest them. Police personnel were refusing to enter the high court following the February 19 clash with lawyers.

Rajagopal and his accomplices were escorted to the nearest B2 Esplanade police station by special public prosecutor Krishnaraja. There they were arrested and taken to the central jail at Puzhal.

“Rajagopal and his accomplices had to surrender before the Poonamallee fast track court, which sentenced them to 10 years rigorous imprisonment. But the court has wound up. The case is now under the fourth additional court which is inside the Madras high court complex. With policemen refusing to enter the court, additional court judge CS Murugan asked the public prosecutor to take them to the nearest Esplanade police station,” a high court advocate said.

“The police will not enter the HC till there is a written request from the chief justice or the registry,” he said.