HC single judge declines to hear plea on TESO ban

Chennai: The fate of the pro-Eelam TESO meet on Sri Lankan Tamils here tomorrow hung in balance as a single judge of Madras High Court today declined to hear a plea by Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation, challenging the ban on the international conference.

Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar directed that the petition be put before Chief Justice M Y Eqbal for placing it before a bench on the ground it would not be appropriate for him to hear the plea as the issue is before a division bench.

The judge’s order came on a petition filed by TESO, which challenged denial of permission for the conference by the Chennai Police Commissioner, citing security reasons.

Tamil Nadu Advocate General A Navaneetha Krishnan told the court that government has been getting intelligence reports and the inputs received “are highly explosive”.

In a revised stance today, the Ministry of External Affairs in a fresh communication to the conference organisers said that taking note of their clarifications, they had no objection to the meet with the title of Eelam Tamil Livelihood Rights Protection Conference.

“However the organisers are advised to ensure that the conference does not issue any declaration or outcome that calls into question in any manner the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of any foreign country with whom India has diplomatic relations,” the communication placed before the court said.