Ex-AIADMK minister gets bail in river sand case

Trichy: Former AIADMK minister M R Vijayabaskar on Monday obtained bail from Karur judicial magistrate court-I in a case involving illegal transport and hoarding of river sand. Sources said that Vijayabaskar provided a surety bond for the bail. Earlier, he obtained anticipatory bail from the Madurai bench of Madras high court.Police said that on Feb 11, a village administrative officer (VAO) of Andankoil East village, identified as N Shanmugam, received information about sand being illegally stockpiled at the site owned by the ex-minister's wife, Vijayalakshmi. Revenue officials inspected the site and confirmed the presence of approximately 12 units of river sand. As no valid documents were produced, Shanmugam lodged a complaint at Karur Town police station, claiming that Vijayabaskar dumped the sand without authorisation. Police registered a case against Vijayabaskar under Section 303(2) of BNS and Section 21(1) of the Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act.