CHENNAI: A Division Bench of Madras High Court has ordered continuation of the stay granted by the Supreme Court in 2004 in respect of the proceedings against MDMK leader Vaiko and six others pending before a Special Court for POTA cases in Poonamallee.
The POTA cas was filed by the Tirumangalam police in Madurai district. On December 30, 2002, the charge-sheet against Vaiko and others invoked sections Sec 21 of POTA. Taking cognizance, the Special Court framed the charges and proceeded with the trial.
Meanwhile, the Centre appointed a Review Committee and based on its opinion and a direction from the Centre, the TN government directed the Public Prosecutor to file an application under Sec 321 of CrPC seeking sanction to withdraw the case. However, the special Court on September 3, 2004, rejected the plea. Aggrieved, Vaiko moved the Supreme Court, which on October 8, 2004 stayed the trial proceedings. Then on March 3 this year, the Supreme Court remitted the matter back to the High Court.
Accordingly, Vaiko approached the Madras High Court. When the matter came up before the bench of Justices S Rajeswaran and PN Prakash on Monday, the Additional Public Prosecutor sought time to file the counter. The Bench said ‘there shall be an order of stay until further orders’ and posted the matter for filing counter after two weeks.