POTA court rejects Vaiko's plea

The designated Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act court in Chennai on Friday rejected MDMK general secretary and MP Vaiko's application for permission to participate in Parliament's proceedings on the ground that the court had no jurisdiction to grant permission.

Designated judge L Rajendran held that Vaiko had also not substantiated his claim within any provisions of law. "Hence, the application is dismissed and Vaiko can approach the Madras high court," he said.

Vaiko was charged under the provisions of the anti-terrorist act for speaking in favour of the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam at a public meeting in Thirumangalam in Madurai district on June 29, 2002.