DMK MLA Arrested After Madras HC Rejects Bail Plea Over Remarks Against CM Vijay

Last Updated:July 03, 2026, 13:35 IST

Apprehending arrest, Radhakrishnan moved the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The court, however, dismissed his plea on Friday.

Former DMK minister and MLA Anitha R. Radhakrishnan was arrested on Friday after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a case related to his remarks against TVK president and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

The case was registered over a speech Radhakrishnan delivered at a public meeting in Athur near Tiruchendur on June 20 during the birth anniversary celebrations of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

According to the police, the MLA made inflammatory remarks against CM Vijay during the event, following which a case was filed against him.

Apprehending arrest, Radhakrishnan moved the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The court, however, dismissed his plea on Friday.

Soon after the order, police arrested him while he was inspecting development works during a visit to a government office.

A team from the Athur Police Station took the MLA into custody. As police attempted to escort him in a vehicle, DMK workers surrounded the officers and tried to prevent the arrest. The workers also raised slogans against the TVK government.

Radhakrishnan was later taken to the Athur Police Station near Tiruchendur.

Meanwhile, the TVK government has sought the Governor’s sanction to investigate and prosecute former ministers Anitha R. Radhakrishnan and V. Senthil Balaji in connection with money laundering cases registered against them by the Enforcement Directorate.

Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister C. T. R. Nirmal Kumar conveyed the government’s request to Governor R. N. Ravi Arlekar during a meeting at the Raj Bhavan in Guindy on Monday.

‘Have To Respect Chief Minister’

While dismissing the plea, Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan remarked that Radhakrishnan, being a member of the legislative assembly, should not have made such statements.

“Being a member of the legislative assembly, what kind of speech you’ve spoken? Whoever it may be, you have to respect the CM," the court orally remarked.

When the matter was taken up on Friday, Senior Advocate N. R. Elango, appearing for Radhakrishnan, argued that the speech did not satisfy the ingredients of the offences invoked against him. He also contended that the remarks contained no provocation.

The court, however, observed that the complaint had been lodged precisely because the speech was perceived to contain provocation.

Senior Advocate NR Elango further argued that Radhakrishnan had neither intended to disturb public peace nor sought to promote enmity, hatred or ill will through his speech.

He contended that, at most, the remarks could amount to defamation, for which the law provides a specific legal remedy. On that basis, he argued that the case against Radhakrishnan was not maintainable.

“Whatever he has spoken may be defamation. But not these sections. There’s a procedure contemplated for defamation. I’m not saying it’s not defamatory. It is defamatory. But the procedure for defamation has to be followed. If a statement is made in connection with public duty, the prosecutor can file. If it’s not in connection with official functions and relates to private life, a complaint can be given in an individual capacity. This is not the way the police should use their powers," Elango argued.

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