Chennai, July 25: A Pota court today framed charges against MDMK chief Vaiko and eight others, who have been charged under the anti-terrorism law for allegedly speaking in favour of the banned LTTE at various public meetings, including at Tirumangalam in Madurai district June 29, 2002.
After the judge L Rajendran framed the charges against them under various sections of Pota the accused pleaded not guilty. Vaiko was brought to the high security court under heavy police escort.

Extending their remand till August 21, the judge fixed the same day for the commencement of trial in the case.

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On July 15, the judge, after dismissing discharge petitions filed by the accused except Vaiko, had fixed today for framing of charges after concluding that from the material and documents placed on record prima facie there existed grounds to proceed further against them in the case.
The MDMK leader had not filed a discharge petition having challenged the act in the Supreme Court.
He was arrested on July 11 last year and the others two days earlier.

Others against who charges were framed were Veera Illavarasan, M Bhoominathan, Madurai Ganesan, Alagu Sundaram, P S Manian, Ganeshamoorthy, Pullavar Sivendhiappan and Nagarajan.
Vaiko is also facing charges in another case for allegedly instigating party cadres to riot and damage public property during campaigning for a by-election in Nagapattinam district in May 1983.

Bureau Report