The Madras High Court on Tuesday quashed the Goondas act slapped against May 17 movement founder Thirumurugan Gandhi and three others. The court deemed that their activities did not warrant preventive detention under the Goondas Act.
On May 21, Thirumurugan Gandhi and several other were arrested when close to 300 people held a rally at the Marina beach, defying prohibitory orders. May 17 had called for a candlelight vigil to mark the anniversary of the Mullivaikal genocide in northern Sri Lanka. The fight between the Sri Lankan government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam had led to the death of several Tamils.
Mr. Gandhi and Tamilar Vidiyal Katchi functionaries Tyson, Jegan alias Ilamaran, and Arunkumar were arrested by the Chennai police for the demonstration and the Goondas act was slapped on them for not following police orders.
They were lodged in Puzhal Central prison.
Justice A. Selvam and P. Kalaiyarasan however reportedly found that their activities were not detrimental to public order and did not warrant preventive detention.
Earlier this month, student activist Valarmathi was let out on bail after the court squashed the goondas act against her. She had accused the government of gagging her and other activists by misusing preventive detention laws.