Members belonging to the Hindu Makkal Katchi today petitioned District Collector T.N. Hariharan to cancel the cases booked against their state unit president Arjun Sampath for performing a puja in his house with weapons and guns and later posting it on the social media.

Claiming that the complaints filed against Sampath were based on personal motive, the members said he (Arjun Sampath) possessed licence for the weapons. “The sword kept in the puja was gifted to him by party men and the gun belongs to his son who is a member of the Coimbatore Rifle Club,” T.C. Senthil Kumar, a HMK member, said.

It may be noted that Arjun Sampath was booked Section 153 (A) of Indian Penal Code (creating enmity between two religious groups) and 25 I (A) of the Indian Arms Act (exhibiting arms without obtaining licence from authorities).

Various religious outfits and Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam had petitioned the Commissioner of Police, A. Amalraj, demanding action against Sampath.