Chennai, Dec 16: The Supreme Court order upholding the constitutional validity of the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota), has come as a double blow for Pota detenu and Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko, MP. The much-awaited apex court order, dashing Mr Vaiko's hopes of extricating himself from the case, comes close on the heels of the two-member bench of Madras High Court quashing a single judge's order, permitting him to attend Parliament and express his views on the Pota Amendment Bill.

Mr Vaiko, who was arrested on July 11, 2002, for supporting the outlawed liberation tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), had challenged validity of Section 21 (3) of Pota (a person commits an offence if he addresses a meeting for the purpose of encouraging support for a terrorist organisation or to further its activities).

The MDMK leader, a known supporter of the LTTE, contended that while addressing a public meeting at Thirumangalam near Madurai on June 29, 2002, he had only extended moral support to the militant organisation and never supported any sort of terrorist acts on the Indian soil.

Mere extension of moral support would not attract the provisions of Pota, Mr Vaiko contended but the apex court rejected his argument, leaving him now the option to seek bail, which was another onerous task. Bureau Report