Chennai: Tamil Nadu Government today (Aug 10, 2004) decided to withdraw POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act) cases against MDMK (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) general secretary Vaiko and eight others and a petition to this effect was filed at the POTA court at suburban Poonthamalee, court sources said.

The decision comes after instruction of the State Government to the public prosecutor to consider withdrawal of the cases.

Confirming the filing of the petition, MDMK sources said now it was for the trial court to take a decision on the matter. The next hearing is scheduled for August 26.

Meanwhile, Vaiko, who is on a "renaissance" padayatra, told a private TV channel at Virudhunagar that he had not received the full details of the petition yet. He described it "a final victory for justice".

"We are fighting for freedom of expression. Our democratic fight has succeeded," he said.

Vaiko was arrested under POTA soon after his arrival in Chennai from the USA on July 11, 2002 and later taken to Madurai. The others were arrested soon after.

Vaiko and others were arrested for allegedly speaking in favour of banned LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), at a public meeting at Thirumangalam near Madurai on June 20, 2002.

On February 7, 2004, Vaiko was released on conditional bail.

On April 8, 2004, the central POTA review committee headed by Arun Saharaya, held that there was no prima facie case for proceeding against Vaiko and the others.

The Madras High Court on April 29 held that the State Chief Secretary should take steps to issue instructions to the public prosecutor to seek appropriate orders from the trial court. The High Court ruled that the central POTA review committee's orders were binding on the State Government.

The other MDMK men arrested along with Vaiko included Bhoominathan, Veera Elangovan (both Salem), Azhagu Sundaram, P S Manian, Madurai Ganesan and Nagarjun (all from Tiruchirapalli), Sivandiappan and Ganesa Murthy (both from Madurai).