Tags:
Journalism of Courage
More than five months after MDMK leader Vaiko was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act POTA, a chargesheet against him in the case was placed before the designated court at Poonamalee, about 25 km from here, today. Another eight MDMK activists too figure in the list of accused in the 518-page chargesheet.
Vaiko was arrested by the Tirumangalam police on July 11 this year at the Chennai airport, immediately after his return to the city from the US. The other accused had been arrested from various parts of the state two days before the MDMK leader8217;s arrest.
During the previous hearing on December 18, the judge had pulled up the prosecution for its 8216;8216;delaying tactics8217;8217; in filing the chargesheet.
Now Vaiko and others stand charged under Sections 212 and 213 of POTA, dealing with support to a terrorist organisation. If Vaiko is found guilty of these offences, he could be sentenced up to 10 years under Section 214 of POTA. If the court is convinced after going through the chargesheet, it will take it on file and a copy will be given to Vaiko and his defence team. Later, charges would be framed against Vaiko and the trial would begin.
The prosecution has charged Vaiko with 8216;8216;arranging, managing or assisting in arranging and managing a meeting that he knew was to support a terrorist organisation, to further its activities and to be addressed by a person who belongs to the terrorist outfit8217;8217; under Section 212 of POTA and 8216;8216;addressing a meeting for the purpose of encouraging support to a terrorist outfit or to further its activities8217;8217; under Section 213 of the Act.
The prosecution has submitted a list of 115 witnesses and placed 168 documentary evidences along with the chargesheet.
Vaiko was brought to the court by a police van from the Vellore Central Prison around 11 am and the case was taken up for hearing at 11.45 am. While designated POTA judge L. Rajendran told Vaiko to take a seat provided for him, the MDMK leader ignored the request and stood through the half-hour proceedings. About a month ago, the judge had asked Vaiko and the other accused to stand up for the hearing and since then the MDMK leader has refused to take a seat during the proceedings.
Once out of court, Vaiko told reporters he was surprised to know BJP state general secretary H. Raja had refused to sign a petition describing his arrest as illegal. 8216;8216;If this is the official stand of the state BJP,8217;8217; he said, 8216;8216;MDMK office-bearers will meet here to discuss the development.8217;8217; He reminded Raja that BJP president Venkaiah Naidu, national secretary L. Ganesan and even a meeting of the NDA had condemned his arrest under POTA.
