The leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) who has approached the Madras High Court to annul a proclamation declaring him an absconding accused had filed an anticipatory bail petition.
An Indian judge in June 1994 had issued a proclamation warrant against Douglas Devananda, treating him as an 'absconding accused' in the case relating to the killing of a city resident in 1986.
The Minister was under the impression that he was covered by immunity offered as part of 1987 Indo-Sri Lankan accord.
Minister Devananda in his petition for anticipatory bail last month had said that he was ready to face trial and abide by any condition imposed and he would appear before the court whenever required.
When the application was heard, the Madras High Court Justice S. Nagamuthu has said that due to the serious nature of the crime, the accused cannot be granted an anticipatory bail at this stage especially, when there is a non-bailable warrant issued against him.
The Madras High Court in December last year ruled that Minister Devananda was not pronounced as a proclaimed offender in India.
The MHC has directed the Minister to approach the trial court to recall the non-bailable warrant pending against him in the case and disposed of the petition filed by him. He was also given the option to approach the High Court to seek anticipatory bail.
The counsel for the petitioner has told the court that the Minister did not press the petition but sought liberty to work out remedies before the trial court.
In response, the Judge dismissing the original petition has told that liberty was given to the Minister to approach the trial court.
A pro-LTTE group filed a petition seeking Devananda's arrest during his visit to India in June last year with the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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