The Chennai George Town area witnessed a protest on July 10, 2010, organized by the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) against attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen. During the event, NTK’s chief coordinator, Seeman, addressed the crowd and reportedly stated that “if attacks by the Sri Lankan navy on Tamil Nadu fishermen persist, Sinhalese students studying in Tamil Nadu will not be able to roam freely.”Following this, the Northern Coastal Police registered a case against Seeman under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other sections, alleging that his speech incited violence between two communities. He was arrested but later released on bail.
The case has been pending in the George Town Magistrate Court, with the chargesheet filed in 2018. In 2021, Seeman moved the Madras High Court seeking to quash the case.
The matter came up for hearing yesterday before a bench comprising Justices S.M. Subramaniam and M. Jothiraman. Representing the police, Additional Public Prosecutor S. Rajakumar argued that the trial was already underway, with over 10 witnesses examined, and requested that the case not be dismissed.
Advocate S. Sankar, appearing for Seeman, submitted that since the trial had commenced, they sought permission to withdraw the quash petition.
The judges granted permission to withdraw the petition and directed the trial court to expedite the proceedings and conclude the case at the earliest.