The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act after a marathon hearing spread over three weeks.

A bench comprising Justice S Rajendra Babu and Justice G P Mathur reserved the verdict after hearing Attorney General Soli J Sorabjee and counsel for petitioners – People's Union for Civil Liberties, another NGO on Human Rights, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Vaiko, Tamil activist P Nedumaran and a Tamil publisher.

The Attorney General defended the legislation saying it had incorporated all the guidelines and safeguards suggested by the Supreme Court while upholding the constitutional validity of Terrorists and Disruptive Activities (prevention) Act.

The petitioners assailed the legislation on the ground that it interfered with the fundamental rights of people, especially on the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under article 19 of the Constitution.

Sorabjee, however, during the course of arguments, clarified that mere expression of support to a terrorist organisation per se without any material support would not amount to an offence under POTA.