Cauvery stir: Charges framed against Vaiko, Thiruma

The police had filed a case against Vaiko, Thirumavalavan, Veerapandian, Arul and Bakthavachallam under IPC Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 188 (disobedience of an order promulgated by a public servant) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty).

On October 18, 2016, cadres of MDMK, VCK, CPM and CPI gathered before the Egmore railway station while Vaiko and Thirumavalavan broke through the barricades and forcibly entered the railway station and thereafter to the tracks. Appearing before Special Court for Trial of Cases related to Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly, all 5 accused pleaded not guilty when charges were read to them in the court. After court proceedings, speaking to reporters, Vaiko said, “I informed the judge that I am not guilty of the said charge.”