The Hindu : State submits POTA documents to review committee

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 17, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

State submits POTA documents to review committee

By J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI, FEB. 16. The Tamil Nadu Government today submitted to the Central Review Committee headed by Justice A.B. Saharya all documents relating to Prevention of Terrorism Act cases against the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary, Vaiko, and Nakkeeran editor, R.R. Gopal, who were detained under the Act and released on bail.

It might be recalled that the State Government raised objections before the panel questioning its jurisdiction to review the cases pending in courts. The committee, by a January 23 order, rejected the objections. The Government's petitions for quashing the panel's order were dismissed by the High Court, which held that the panel could review the cases of Mr. Vaiko and Mr. Gopal. Accordingly, the committee, which met on February 4, directed the Government to file all documents and relevant materials in the two cases on or before February 16 and posted the matter for February 19.

Complying with this direction, the Government today furnished the copies of chargesheet in respect of Mr. Vaiko and eight others and English translation of the statements of witnesses. As chargesheet had not been filed against Mr. Gopal, a copy of the first information report and related documents were submitted.

Meanwhile, the State Government is to `mention' before the apex court for early listing of its special leave petition seeking to quash a judgment of the Madras High Court upholding the jurisdiction of the POTA panel to review the cases of Mr. Vaiko and Mr. Gopal. The Government is seeking stay of proceedings slated for February 19.

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