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Hours after issuing a non-bailable arrest warrant under the Prevention of Terrorism Act against Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief Vaiko, S Venkatachalapathy, Judicial First Class Magistrate, Thirumangalam, has gone on three days' leave beginning Wednesday.
Vanitha, Judicial Magistrate VII at Madurai, will hold his charge till he returns.
Venkatachalapathy had issued an arrest warrant against Vaiko a day after issuing similar warrants against eight other MDMK functionaries for making pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam speeches.
According to reports, Venkatachalapathy had sought the advice of Madurai District and Sessions Judge Masilamani when the police first approached him for issuance of warrants.
Questions were asked if a first class judicial magistrate like Venkatachalapathy could issue a non-bailable warrant against Vaiko, who is a member of the Lok Sabha.
Besides, only a special court chaired by a sessions judge can hear cases registered under POTA.
Meanwhile, Vaiko's time of arrival from the US has once again been changed. Instead of arriving in Chennai post-midnight on Wednesday, he will now land at around 1300 hours on Thursday.
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