Tamil Nadu DMK MLA arrested over alleged remarks against CM

A senior opposition lawmaker in Tamil Nadu was arrested on Friday, July 3, following a court order, sparking accusations of political vendetta from his party. Anitha R. Radhakrishnan, a former minister and a seven-term DMK legislator representing Tiruchendur, was taken into custody by police in Authoor, Thoothukudi district, shortly after the Madras High Court rejected his petition for anticipatory bail.

The arrest stems from a public meeting Radhakrishnan addressed on June 20, where he made remarks about Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay that a member of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) alleged were derogatory. A complaint was filed on June 23, leading to a case being registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace and statements conducing to public mischief.

Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, dismissing the bail plea, orally remarked that as a member of the legislative assembly, Radhakrishnan should not have made such statements and must respect the chief minister. Radhakrishnan’s legal counsel argued that his speech may have constituted defamation but should not attract the specific sections...