Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) MLA and president of the Vanniyar Sangam J. Guru alias Gurunathan has challenged his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) in the Madras High Court.
Mr. Guru was detained under the NSA on the orders of the Kancheepuram district Collector on May 10. He is confined in the Central Prison, Puzhal, Chennai.
The 54-year-old legislator, who represents Jayankondam constituency in Ariyalur district, has alleged that the order of detention had been passed “due to political pressure and vengeance.”
Mr. Guru said the sangam (association) organised ‘chitrai festival’ at Mamallapuram, about 60 km from here, on April 25.
Initially, the Mamallapuram police registered a case against him for offences including that of promoting enmity among different groups on grounds of religion and race. This was based on a complaint by one Kittu alias Siruthai Kittu, stated to belong to the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK), on May 5. He was arrested the next day. The charge against him was that he made a provocative speech at the function. This was a “false case,” he said. Mr. Guru said he was arrested in four other cases registered by the Mamallapuram, Thazhambur and Pennadam police stations relating to alleged crimes of 2012 and 2013. He was granted bail in two cases registered by the Mamallapuram police. While so, he was detained under the NSA.
The MLA said the detention order was a total “misuse of power” under the NSA with a “malafide intention of political vendetta.” He did not make any provocative speech against any community or the integrity of the nation. He had never acted in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of the security of the State, public peace and tranquillity. Hence, the detention order was liable to be set aside.
