They have been booked for sedition, unlawful assembly and defamation among other offences in the FIR registered on September 29 at Annadanapatty police station in Salem district. The counsel also submitted that the apex court order relied on by the advocate general was made in the background of an agitation over the NEET exam. The pamphlets relate to birth centenary celebrations of AIADMK party leaders and the action said to have been initiated based on the apex court order is not sustainable, he said. "I am unable to comprehend as to how the aforesaid slogans cannot prima facie constitute the offences of sedition or defamation," the judge said. Since the pamphlets attempt to incite the public to protest and demonstrate, police were well within the powers to register the complaint in accordance with the directions of the supreme court, the judge said.

Source: Economic Times November 09, 2017 15:45 UTC