Chennai, July 28 : The Madras High Court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday the bail plea of Vilathikulam DMK MLA G.V. Markandayan, who was arrested in connection with a case alleging that he threatened Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay during a public meeting in Thoothukudi district.

The case arose from a speech delivered by Markandayan at a public meeting held in Kovilpatti to thank voters following the recent Assembly election.

The Thoothukudi District Crime Branch registered a case against the legislator, alleging that his remarks amounted to threatening the Chief Minister and had the potential to disturb public order.

After his arrest, Markandayan sought bail before the Thoothukudi District Court, but his plea was rejected, prompting him to move the Madras High Court.

When the petition came up before Justice Ilanthiraiyan, counsel appearing for the MLA argued that the speech was made as a political response to remarks allegedly made by the Chief Minister about â??locking the doors of the Assemblyâ??.

The defence maintained that the speech was part of legitimate political criticism and did not constitute a criminal threat or an attempt to incite violence.

The petitioner further contended that the arrest violated constitutional safeguards, alleging that the police failed to inform him of the grounds of arrest.

The defence also challenged the judicial remand order issued by the Thoothukudi court, arguing that it was legally unsustainable because the arrest itself did not comply with the prescribed legal procedure.

According to the defence, the police neither conducted a preliminary inquiry nor issued a notice directing the MLA to appear for questioning before taking him into custody.

The alleged incident took place on July 18, while the complaint was lodged around midnight on July 19. An FIR was registered in the early hours of July 20, and Markandayan was arrested later the same day.

The petitioner has maintained that his speech was not intended to provoke violence or disturb public order. As the hearing could not be concluded during the previous sitting, Justice Ilanthiraiyan adjourned the matter for further arguments.

The High Court is scheduled to resume hearing the bail plea, and it is likely to hear the remaining submissions before deciding whether to grant bail to the MLA or dismiss the petition.

/IANS