Tue Feb 24 13:35:59 UTC 2026: ### Madras High Court Upholds Ban on LTTE, Dismisses Vaiko’s Petition

The Story:
The Madras High Court on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, dismissed a writ petition filed by MDMK leader Vaiko, challenging the central government’s ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The ban, initially imposed in 2010 and periodically extended, was contested by Vaiko on the grounds that it violated principles of natural justice and failed to adequately consider the plight of Eelam Tamils in Sri Lanka. A Division Bench of Justices Anita Sumanth and Mummineni Sudheer Kumar rejected Vaiko’s plea, siding with the arguments presented by Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan, representing the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Key Points:

  • The Madras High Court dismissed Vaiko’s writ petition challenging the ban on LTTE.
  • The original notification declaring LTTE as an unlawful body was issued on May 14, 2010.
  • Vaiko argued that the ban disregarded the alleged genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.
  • A.R.L. Sundaresan, representing the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, argued that Vaiko lacked the legal standing to challenge the ban, as he was not a member of the LTTE.
  • The ASG also stated that a similar petition was dismissed in 2013, and the current petition should have been filed before the Delhi High Court.
  • The government argued the ban on LTTE is in the interest of national security.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Madras High Court’s decision reaffirms the Indian government’s stance on the LTTE as an unlawful organization.
  • The legal challenge brought by Vaiko highlights the ongoing sensitivity and political complexities surrounding the Sri Lankan Tamil issue in Tamil Nadu.
  • The court’s emphasis on Vaiko’s lack of standing suggests a strict interpretation of who can challenge government decisions related to national security.

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