New Delhi, Apr 01: A batch of writ petitions questioning the validity of Pota, including the one filed by Vaiko is expected to come up for final hearing before Supreme Court today. In a bid to correct a major faux pas, the Union government has approached the Supreme Court with a fresh affidavit seeking to delete paragraphs in its earlier one accusing MDMK leader Vaiko of indulging in activities banned under Pota. "Government of India fully supports the constitutionality of Pota but is of the view that the speech delivered by Vaiko on June 29, 2001, if properly interpreted and read in the entire context of the speech and the surrounding circumstances, does not attract the provisions of Pota," the affidavit said.


However, counsel for Vaiko, R Subramaniam said he did not have any instruction to give 'no objections' and that he would consult his client in this regard. This delayed the filing of the affidavit by the Centre in the Supreme Court. In the new affidavit, the Centre sought deletion of paragraph 12 and 13 of the original affidavit which had said that Vaiko was drawing support for terrorist organisation, LTTE and the public speech given by him "constitute and act of terrorism"

The new affidavit filed by the ministry of home affairs said "the contents of paragraphs 12 and 13 of the said counter affidavit are based on a misapprehension of the stand of the government". Bureau Report