NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Vaiko, who was arrested at Chennai on Thursday under Prevention of Terrorism Act, has been remanded to judicial custody till August 7 by a Madurai court on Friday morning and sent to the central prison.
Earlier, Vaiko submitted a written petition to the Thirumangalam magistrate pleading that under section 25 of POTA, a regular magistrate court could not issue a non-bailable warrant or order remand.
The magistrate rejected the MP's argument and remanded him to judicial custody. In a message issued through his advocates, Vaiko said, "I very happy to go to the jail for the cause and welfare of the Eelam Tamils. But I strongly oppose misusing POTA for political vendetta."
The MDMK leader said his partymen would launch a 'peaceful' agitation against the 'misuse' of POTA.
Vaiko said that he would seek the permission of the court for voting in the presidential election.
Vaiko's advocates had contended that it was a junior officer who conducted the investigation in the POTA case filed against him, while as per provisions an official of the rank of superintendent of police should have carried out the investigation.
Tell us what you think of this report