CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has set aside the orders detaining film director Seeman under the National Security Act (NSA).
A Division Bench comprising Justice Elipe Dharma Rao and Justice C T Selvam set side the detention order while allowing a habeas corpus writ petition from Seeman’s brother S James Peter of Virugambakkam, here on Friday.
The Bench observed that considering the facts and circumstances of the case, it was of the view that mere delivery of a speech at a public meeting would not tantamount to forming an unlawful assembly, attracting Section 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Unlawful Assembly Prevention Act and thereby affecting the sovereignty of the country.
Moreover, there were no consequential unlawful activities in pursuance of the speech delivered by Seeman and were prejudicial to the maintenance of the public order, the Bench added and set aside the detention order.
Seeman was detained under the NSA on February 27 for delivering a seditious speech at a public meeting.