MDMK general sec Vaiko sentenced to one-year jail for pro-LTTE speech

A special court in Chennai today (July 5) sentenced MDMK general secretary Vaiko to one-year in jail and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 for his 2009 speech in support of the banned LTTE group, the Times of India reported.

The special court for the trial of criminal cases related to elected members of parliament and members of legislative assembly found him guilty under Section 124 (a) (sedition) of the IPC.

According to reports, General Secretary Vaiko his speech during the launch of a book here in 2009, Vaiko had condemned the Indian government and spoke in support of the LTTE.

Judge J Shanthi allowed Vaiko to appeal against the sentence before an appellate court. He has been given one month's time to appeal.

Drama prevailed at the special court after Vaiko objected to a sentence in the special court judgement which mentioned that the petitioner (Vaiko) had sought a lenient punishment.
"I never sought a lenient punishment. Give me the highest punishment. I am prepared for it," he said.