DMK govt withdraws cases against party leaders

Chennai, June 6 (UNI) The DMK government in Tamil Nadu today withdrew cases registered against seven party leaders by the AIADMK regime.

Cases of criminal intimidation and trespassing were registered against seven DMK leaders including M K Stalin and K Ponmudi, by the AIADMK regime in 2003 during the 'Save Queen Mary's College' stir.

A petition to this effect, along with copies of the Government Order on withdrawal of cases, was filed by Government advocate Kandasamy before the 13th Egmore Metropolitan Magistrate Ramanathan.

The Magistrate accepted the petition.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had announced in the State Assembly that cases registered under TESMA and ESMA against various political parties would be withdrawn.

It may be recalled that the AIADMK regime had filed cases against seven DMK leaders including Stalin, Ponmudi, then T.Nagar MLA J Anbazhagan, Thandrampet Velu, Baranikumar and Pugazhendi for allegedly trespassing into the college on the beach front to express solidarity with students protesting against the then government's move to demolish the college to construct a new Secretariat complex.

The DMK leaders were charged under five sections of the IPC including criminal intimidation, trespassing and preventing public servants from discharging their duties.

The chargesheet in the case was filed on December 12 last year and the case was being heard by the 13th MM court, Egmore.

The incident hit the national headlines after the AIADMK government ordered the closure of the college and hostels from April 7 to 21, 2003. The students and hostelmates vowed not to vacate and about 1,000 students and staff members stayed put to prevent demolition. They also staged candle-light vigils.

UNI GV AA PM BST1903