DMK MLA PK Sekarbabu booked under attempt to murder section over polling clash in Chennai

CHENNAI: Chennai North Beach police registered a case against former minister and DMK MLA PK Sekarbabu and his supporters in connection with an altercation involving TVK functionaries during polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election in the Harbour constituency on April 23.

Police booked them under six Sections 109(1) (attempted murder), 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 296(b) (abusing), 115(2) (causing injury), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and 123(2) (a)(1) Representation of the People (RP) Act (violating election norms) of BNS Act.

The case was registered following a complaint lodged by TVK Harbour constituency candidate Sinora Ashok, who claimed that Sekarbabu and his supporters assaulted her party members during an argument in the Mannadi on polling day.

According to police, tension prevailed in the Harbour constituency on the evening of April 23 after a dispute broke out between members of the DMK and the Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi (MJK) over allegations that outsiders were being housed at a party office near a polling station.

The incident occurred around 5.35 pm on Angappa Naicken Street near Chennai Urdu School, where polling booths numbered 104, 105 and 107 were located. Police said Sekarbabu, who was the DMK candidate from the Harbour constituency, had completed inspection of polling booths and was proceeding towards a nearby mosque when he received information about outsiders being present at an MJK office in the area.

Following this, Sekarbabu and DMK cadres went to the office of MJK functionary Haroon Rasheed. An argument later broke out between the two groups.

Senior police officers, including deputy commissioner-level officials, Assistant Commissioner Velmurugan and Inspector Saravanan, rushed to the spot and intervened to bring the situation under control. Police detained a man identified as Aaliyar, associated with the MJK, along with some TVK members, and evacuated them from the area around 5.45 pm.

Following the police action, Sinora Ashok staged a road blockade near Ilaiyangudi Mosque on Ibrahim Road from 6 pm, demanding action against those involved in the incident. Police later held talks with the protesters and restored normal traffic movement.

Police sources said Sekarbabu’s name was not initially included in the complaint received from Sinora Ashok. However, following further inquiry and directions from election authorities, Harbour police registered an FIR against Sekarbabu and his supporters.

Meanwhile, on April 30, Sinora Ashok moved the Madras High Court seeking protection and stating threat to his life from Sekarbabu. The petition was later closed after the Chennai police informed the court that adequate security had already been provided to her.Further investigation into the case was under way.