PKR's Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrishnan was this morning charged with obstructing the police during the Permatang Pasir by-election nomination yesterday.

He claimed trial at the Bukit Mertajam Magistrate's Court and was released on RM2,000 bail with one surety. His wife R Vasanthi posted bail.

The case will be mentioned on Sept 28.

He was taken to court in an ambulance from the Bukit Mertajam Hospital at about 11am and then into the courtroom in a wheelchair. His left arm was heavily bandaged.

NONEGobalakrishnan (left), 49, was arrested yesterday after being involved in a melee with the police, for alleged verbal abuse of police personnel and refusing to heed orders to stop.

He was taken to hospital after he claimed that he had been injured during the course of his arrest.

At the hospital, he also complained of chest pains.

When produced in court, Gobalakrishnan looked visibly shaken.

He was charged before Magistrate Mohd Azahar Hamzah under Section 353 of the Penal Code for using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his official duties.

The charge carries a fine not exceeding RM2,000 or two years' jail or both, upon conviction.

Gobalakrishnan was represented by an eight-member legal team led by Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer.

The other lawyers were Lim Boo Chang, Mustafa Basri, Mohd Azman Harun, JM Martin, Harryzam Yaakub, Lim Boon Beng and Ahmad Tarmizi Jusoh.

The prosecution team was led by DPP Suhaimi Ibrahim assisted by Ariff Zakri Abdul Kadir and Siti Noor Salimah.

Earlier Suhaimi had requested the court to impose bail of RM5,000 as the charge is serious in nature.

However, Rayer appealed for a reduced sum on grounds that the accused is a parliamentarian and would not attempt to escape court proceedings.

The magistrate then reduced the sum.

Civil suit being considered

The defence team also asked the court to keep the pants and belt worn by Gobalakrishnan during the commotion yesterday, as evidence.

The pants and belt, allegedly torn during the arrest, are now with the police.

Suhaimi objected, arguing that such evidence can only be kept by the court after it is produced as a case exhibit.

Mohd Azahar concurred and rejected the defence argument.

Rayer later told journalists that his client had lodged a police report last night against the police for assaulting him.

NONE"My client is contemplating whether (or not) to file a civil suit against the police and complainant in the current case," he said.

The charge sheet stated that the complainant is Sub-inspector Karunamoorthy.

Rayer said Gobalakrishnan will seek specialist treatment at a private hospital in Penang for his injuries and chest pains.

The lawyer also questioned why the police had been so swift to prefer charges against his client when they should have first probed Gobalakrishnan's police report.

"Did the police fully complete their investigation?" he asked.

'Probe the police assault'

Earlier state PKR Youth executive member Annuar Ismail suggested that police may have a political vendetta against Gobalakrishnan by fast-tracking the investigation and initiating the charge against.

"We have visual evidence to show that the parliamentarian was kicked by a policeman. Why haven't investigations been carried out into the assault?" he asked.

He also hoped that police would not be used as a political tool during the Permatang Pasir by-election campaign.