PUGAZENDHI THANGARAJ Vs. COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE short question that arises for consideration in the present writ petition is whether the order of the respondent Commissioner of Police, Chennai City in denying the request made by the petitioner for conducting a 'signature campaign" with reference to an appeal to the Government of India to remove the ban on "Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam" (LTTE) in a public place, by the exercise of his power under Section 41 of the Chennai City Police Act is justified"

(2.) THE petitioner is a freelance journalist and a film director. He had started an organization called "Karuthurimaikkalam", a forum for right of expression in the year 2008. According to the petitioner, "Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam" (for short LTTE) was prohibited under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (for short UAPA). THE petitioner finds the said ban was repugnant to democracy and wanted to send a join representation to the Governor of Tamil Nadu expressing the opinion of general public. THErefore, in order to mobilise opinion of the public on the said issue, he organized a signature campaign on 19.10.2010 from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. By the said campaign, an appeal will be made to the people who are passers by to express their opinion by signing a joint memorandum. THE venue was fixed near Panagal Maligai at Saidapet.

(3.) SINCE earlier the programme was scheduled to take place on 19.10.2010 and that date has also expired on account of various adjournments made in the writ petition, the counsel for the petitioner filed a memo stating that should this court grant permission, they are willing to have the campaign on 30.03.2011 at 4.00 p.m. in the same venue.