DMK MLA Anitha R Radhakrishnan was arrested by the Tamil Nadu Police on Friday after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a case linked to allegedly objectionable remarks made against TVK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay.
Police said the case stems from a speech delivered by Radhakrishnan at a public meeting in Athur near Tiruchendur on June 20 during celebrations commemorating the birth anniversary of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
According to the police, the legislator made inflammatory comments targeting Vijay during the event, leading to the registration of a case against him. Following the High Court's refusal to grant anticipatory bail, Radhakrishnan was taken into custody.
The complaint centres on remarks in which the DMK leader mocked Vijay's appearance and his move from the film industry into politics.
Referring to a recent exchange in the Tamil Nadu Assembly between DMK MLA S Austin and the Chief Minister during a discussion on law and order, Radhakrishnan said, "Brother Austin pointed his finger at CM and asked him, 'Won't you open your mouth and speak?' He looked trapped. It was like, 'How did I get stuck here? How happy I was at home with an actress. Now I'm trapped here.'"
He went on to liken the Chief Minister's conduct in the Assembly to that of a customer entering a shop, saying, "I'm a merchant and I know when someone enters a shop whether he wants to buy something or borrow money. Similarly, I can realise how he felt trapped in the Assembly," he said.
Reacting to the arrest, DMK MP Kanimozhi accused the state government of resorting to oppressive measures against the Opposition and described the action as "strongly condemnable".
In a post on X, she alleged that Radhakrishnan had been arrested while inspecting development works in his constituency, calling it an "utterly anarchic" act by what she described as a "tyrannical government". She also asserted that the DMK "will never bow down to such oppressive tactics."
According to a Live Law report, Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan, while dismissing Radhakrishnan's anticipatory bail petition, observed that a sitting legislator should not have made such remarks.
The judge further noted that Tamil Nadu has elected several leaders from the film industry since 1967 and remarked that the comments were unwarranted.
“In state of TN, since 1967, people from the cinema are being voted. Then why are you making these statements? You're not a layman. You're a member of the assembly", the court orally observed while rejecting the plea.
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