FIR against Vaiko, charged with sedition

Chennai, Apr 10: Tamil Nadu police registered an FIR against MDMK leader Vaiko in Chennai for his inflammatory speeches during election campaign in support of the banned organisation of LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam).

In the FIR police charged Vaiko with sedition and under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The MDMK chief is accused of making a comment that could create fear or incite violence in the country.

Vaiko earlier justified his speech by saying that he only warned the government of a situation that might emerge due to anger and agitation among the people if the Sri Lankan Tamil problem was not solved. He said that a separate eelam for Sri Lankan Tamils alone could end the ethnic strife in the island.

Under the UAPA a person maybe be denied bail if the court believes that, based on the evidence so far, the accusations against him are prima facie true. He may also get 5 years imprisonment or even a life sentence.

What is Sedition?

Sedition is officially defined as an attempt to bring hatred or contempt, or exciting or attempting to excite, disaffection towards the Government. Sedition is a non-bailable offence. It carries a minimum sentence of three years and a maximum of life sentence.

OneIndia News