The special court dealing with cases under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act has directed former IAS officer U. Sagayam to appear via videoconference concerning the ongoing granite scam cases in Madurai district.
Judge N. Logeswaran instructed that arrangements be made for Mr. Sagayam to join the proceedings through a video link from the City Civil Court in Chennai. To facilitate the setup, a letter is to be sent to the Principal District Judge, Chennai, and fresh summons have been issued. The case has been posted for the next hearing on June 6.
Mr. Sagayam, who had earlier been appointed as a special officer to investigate the high-profile scam, had written to the special public prosecutor expressing his inability to appear in person, citing a threat to his life. He noted that security provided to him under a High Court directive was later withdrawn by the State government, a move he termed “unfair.”
In response to his letter, the Director-General of Police assured the court that adequate protection would be extended to Mr. Sagayam based on the level of threat, enabling his participation in the legal process.
