Chennai, Aug 25 (IANS): The Madras High Court on Tuesday set aside the privilege notice issued to the legislators belonging to DMK party for bringing banned 'gutkha' packets inside the Assembly and waving them.

The party President M.K.Stalin welcomed the court order.

When the state assembly was in session in 2017, Stalin and 20 other DMK law makers brought 'gutkha' (a tobacco product) packets to stress that the banned product is available in the markets freely.

But a breach of privilege issue was raised against the DMK law makers and a notice was issued to them. The DMK law makers filed a case in the High Court against the notice.

The court though said the privilege committee can issue another notice to the law makers if it still considers the act of DMK law makers a breach of privilege.

Reacting to the order Stalin in a statement said the High Court has protected the freedom of lawmakers in raising issues that affect the public and also their freedom of expression.