The Tamil Nadu police on Monday filed a charge sheet against Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief Vaiko and eight others, who were arrested in July under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for their alleged remarks in support of the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The charge sheet running into 440 pages was filed at the designated POTA court in suburban Poonamalee in Chennai to comply with the provisions of POTA, which stipulate that a charge sheet has to be filed within 180 days of an arrest.

Vaiko and the others had been charged under Section 21 (2) and (3) of POTA.

While Vaiko was arrested on July 11 at Chennai airport soon after his arrival from a tour of the United states, the others had been picked up on July 9.

Public Prosecutor Jayakumar, while presenting the charge sheet, said the police had attached 106 documents, some video clippings and audio tapes and cited over 115 witnesses.

Vaiko and the other accused, all belonging to the MDMK, were present when the charge sheet was filed before Judge M Rajendran. The next hearing of the case has been fixed for January 2.

While extending the remand of Vaiko and the others till Monday, Judge Rajendran had on December 18 pulled up the police for not filing a charge sheet and directed them to do so at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Vaiko has expressed disappointment over the refusal of state BJP general secretary H Raja to sign a memorandum demanding repeal of Section 21 of POTA.

The MDMK plans to get over 10 million signatures in support of its demand, to be submitted to the President and the prime minister.

Leaders of several opposition parties, including Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi, in the state have signed the memorandum.

Vaiko has also refused to comment on BJP national secretary L Ganesan's remarks that the state would witness a political realignment before the next Lok Sabha poll.

EARLIER REPORT:
Vaiko challenges Section 21 of POTA

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