DMK minister arrest follows Madras High Court rejection of anticipatory bail plea

Former DMK Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan was arrested after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea linked to alleged defamatory remarks against Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and his family, police said. He claimed pressure and offers to leave DMK for the ruling TVK, which TVK leaders publicly dismissed.

Former DMK Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan was arrested on Friday, police said. The arrest followed the Madras High Court rejecting his request for anticipatory bail. Police linked the case to alleged defamatory remarks against Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. The matter drew reactions from DMK leaders and a counter response from a TVK minister.

State Energy Resources Minister C T R Nirmal Kumar said the arrest came after the court order. Kumar said the case concerned remarks aimed at the Chief Minister and family. Radhakrishnan, meanwhile, claimed pressure to resign as MLA and join the ruling TVK. Radhakrishnan also said money was offered, but the offer was refused.

DMK Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan arrest after bail rejection

Police arrested Radhakrishnan during a visit to Authoor, about 23 km from here. Officers escorted Radhakrishnan to a police jeep. Supporters gathered at the spot and raised slogans against the police action. Police later took Radhakrishnan to be produced before a court on Friday evening.

When police moved Radhakrishnan for court production, Radhakrishnan spoke to reporters. "I will always remain in the DMK,\" Radhakrishnan told reporters. Radhakrishnan said a large sum was offered to quit DMK and change loyalty to TVK. Radhakrishnan said the approach did not change that decision.

DMK Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan case and TVK response

Speaking to reporters in Madurai, Kumar rejected talk that TVK asked others to resign. Kumar also said TVK would not accept Radhakrishnan under any circumstance. \"Even if someone like Radhakrishnan who is a rowdy and a despicable person, performs penance tavam, and falls at the feet of the CM, brother Vijay, we will never admit him into the TVK,\" Kumar said.

Kumar accused the DMK leader of repeated misconduct in southern Tamil Nadu. Kumar alleged this stretched across the last 20 years. The accusations included land grabbing, holding kangaroo courts, and disturbing peace in the region. Kumar said these reasons explained why TVK would not welcome such a person. Kumar also repeated that the arrest followed court refusal of bail.

DMK Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan arrest criticised by DMK leaders

DMK president M K Stalin questioned why police acted quickly when Radhakrishnan was inspecting his constituency. Stalin compared it with a complaint by a woman victim over an alleged gang rape. Stalin claimed the ruling TVK had not acted on that complaint, despite an MLA being involved. Stalin raised the issue in posts on X.

\"Why the urgency. Is this the change this government which is unable to prevent the murders, robberies and sexual crimes against women, and engrossed in admitting members from other parties, want to ensure,\" Stalin asked on X. Stalin also asked how many ministers would be arrested if defamation cases led to arrests. Stalin alleged horse-trading and warned against arrogance.

DMK MP Kanimozhi condemned the arrest and wrote on X that the party would not bend to such pressure. Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin also criticised the police action and called it political vendetta. \"The reels government cannot paralyse or suppress the DMK by foisting false cases and resorting to arrest,\" Udhayanidhi said on X.

DMK Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan remarks and BNS sections

Police said the case began after remarks made on June 20. Radhakrishnan, representing the Tiruchendur Assembly constituency, allegedly made derogatory comments about the chief minister. TVK then filed a police complaint, according to officials. Police registered cases under section 352 and section 353(2) of the BNS, citing insult and public mischief.

Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan dismissed the bail plea and made an oral remark in court. The judge said that as a member of the Legislative Assembly, Radhakrishnan should not have made such statements. After the order, police proceeded with the arrest linked to the registered sections. The matter has since become a political flashpoint between DMK and TVK.

With inputs from PTI