Chennai: The Madras High Court today granted anticipatory bail to BJP’s Coimbatore (South) constituency candidate Vanathi Srinivasan and six others in the criminal case of assault and intimidation filed against them by the AIADMK during the state assembly election campaigns.

The court instructed Vanathi to appear before the police as and when required. The six others, including Hindu Munnani’s district president, T. Guna, were ordered to turn up every day for the next one week at the B-3 Police Station, and sign.

The incident happened when Vanathi, along with her party members, visited the residence of a deceased supporter, on June 15, to offer their condolences. With polling less than 24 hours away, the local AIADMK supporters objected to the visit, claiming that it was a violation of the model code of conduct. A fight ensued.

Vanathi, in her petition, said that about 30 AIADMK men blocked her car and picked up a fight. She said that she and her party members were named in the case, simply to intimidate and demoralize them.