The Madras High Court on Friday set aside the detention of filmmaker and Naam Thamizhar Iyakkam supreme Seeman under the National Security Act (NSA).

A division bench comprising Justices Elipe Dharma Rao and D Hariparanthaman set aside the order of the Additional Commissioner of Police dated July 16, 2010, detaining him for allegedly making anti national remarks.

Since the additional commissioner of police is a subordinate to the commissioner of police, he cannot function as a detaining authority under the provisions of National Security Act. Hence, the detention order is set aside,” the High Court bench said.

Seeman was arrested on July 12 in connection with a speech at a demonstration held near the Chennai Collectorate to condemn the attack on Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Four days later, he was detained under the NSA. The detention order was issued by the then Additional Commissioner of Police, Crime and Headquarters, who was acting as Chennai Commissioner of Police (Cop) in-charge.

Seeman's brother, S James Peter of Virugambakkam, filed a petition challenging the detention. Hailing the court order, Seeman's supporters celebrated it by bursting crackers.