MAGISTRATE REFUSES TO REMAND NAKKEERAN GOPAL

The Magistrate reportedly refused to remand Chief Editor of Nakkeeran - a Tamil bi-weekly magazine, Nakkeeran Gopal to judicial custody. Gopal was arrested earlier today at the Chennai Airport while he was on his way to Pune.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit's office reportedly filed a complaint based on the magazine's reporting on the alleged sex scandal case at Madurai Kamaraj University. On April this year, Nirmala Devi, a senior faculty member of Madurai Kamaraj University was arrested for allegedly luring female students to provide sexual favours. In an audio clip that was released, Devi claimed that she knew the Governor, who was also the Chancellor of the university.

Nakkeeran reported that Nirmala Devi met with Governor Purohit four times. However, Purohit denied any link with Devi and ordered an enquiry into the scandal. The Magistrate declared that there is no reason for Gopal to be arrested under Section 124A (Sedition).

Reportedly, former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu N Ram was called up by the Magistrate for his views as a representative of the media. Ram asserted that the case was not related to Section 124A. After his release, Gopal conveyed his gratitude to all those who opposed the arrest.