Chennai, June 10: A designated Pota court today extended the remand of MDMK general secretary Vaiko and eight others, arrested under the anti-terrorist law for allegedly speaking in favour of the outlawed LTTE at a public meeting in Madurai district last year, to June 18.
Earlier, Devadass, counsel for five of the detenus, sought discharge of his clients from the case, contending that Section 21 of Pota violated Article 19 of the Constitution which guaranteed freedom of speech.
During his three-hour long argument on the discharge petitions, he referred to attorney general Soli Sorabjee's submission in the Supreme Court in connection with a petition filed by Vaiko challenging the validity of Section 21 of Pota.
Intervening, Tamil Nadu public prosecutor for Pota cases Jayakumar contended that the apex court was already seized of the matter as the same objections had been raised by Vaiko and hence the designated court was not competent to hear a similar matter.
The designated judge, L Rajendran, however, posted the petitions for further arguments on June 18.
Vaiko and the others were arrested for allegedly organising and speaking in favour of the banned Sri Lankan militant outfit at a public meeting at Tirumangalam in Madurai district on June 29 last.
Vaiko was arrested on July 11 and the others two days earlier.
Bureau Report