VCK cadre taking out a bike rally in Madurai on Friday.
| Photo Credit: G. MOORTHY
About 170 members of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) party who went on a two-wheeler rally from the district court junction to Gandhi Memorial Museum were booked by the Tallakulam police under three sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Following the protest on Friday, the police booked 170 cadre, including Deepam alias Sudarmozhi, north district secretary, under sections 189 (2) (unlawful assembly), 126 (2)(wrongful restraint) and 292 (punishment for public nuisance) of BNS.
Condemning the case booked against the party cadre, Ms. Sudarmozhi said that they carried out the rally based on the order of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court.
“The court gave a direction that police should guide the rally accordingly. Only after their instructions, we planned the rally,” she added.
But, on the night before the rally, the police informed the party that they had cancelled permission for the protest, but how could the members after all the preparation cancel the event at the last minute, she asked.
“We condemn the act of the police who initially gave us permission and later booked us for the same rally which was held under the court’s direction,” Ms. Sudarmozhi added. “Would the same treatment be given to other political parties which carry out similar protests,” she asked.
A police official said that though the court permitted the rally, the members during the event were found to be disturbing the public creating nuisance.
“Also, the court did not ask them to create ruckus. Only a peaceful protest was allowed, but as they blocked roads in hundreds and disturbed the public against the police’s order, we had to book the case against them,” official said.
Published – March 01, 2025 08:49 pm IST