Madras HC admits Vaiko''s petition challenging tribunal''s order

Chennai, Nov 10 (PTI) The Madras High court today admitteda petition by MDMK General Secretary Vaiko challenging anorder of a tribunal confirming ban on LTTE.

A special tribunal headed by a Justice Vikramjit Sen ofthe Delhi High Court had on November 12 last had upheld theCentre''s decision to extend ban on Liberation Tigers of TamilEelam (LTTE) for another two years saying the organisationcontinued to be a threat to the security of the country.

Seeking to quash the order of the tribunal, Vaiko and''Prisoners Rights Forum'', a group fighting for the rights ofLankan Tamils, had filed two writ petitions before the Court.

Vaiko said the tribunal passed the order without allowinghim to peruse the materials put forth by the prosecution andno one was arrested so far under the 10 a(1) of the Preventionof Unlawful Activities Act.

The Union Home Ministry had on January 27 told the courtthat Vaiko was not an aggrieved person to challenge thetribunal''s order and the MDMK leader had no locus standi toappear before the tribunal or to seek intervention.

Unless the petitioner proved with supporting evidence todemonstrate that he was an aggrieved person, his writ petitionwas not maintainable, the Home Ministry had contended.

When the matter came up for hearing before the divisioncomprising Chief Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice T S Sivagnanamtoday, Vaiko, who made his submission as party in person,submitted that though he was not an aggrieved person, he couldalso approach the court.

The court adjourned the matter for further hearing toApril 25.