DMK MLA Anitha Radhakrishnan Arrested After HC Rejects Anticipatory Bail in Defamation Case

Chennai, July 8: DMK MLA Anitha Radhakrishnan was arrested in Thoothukudi district on Friday, hours after the Madras High Court refused to grant him anticipatory bail in a case involving alleged defamatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay.

The Tiruchendur MLA was taken into custody by the police and underwent a medical examination before being questioned. It is not yet clear whether he will be remanded to judicial custody or granted bail by the local court.

The case stems from a speech delivered on June 20, in which Radhakrishnan allegedly made derogatory remarks against the Chief Minister, including comments linked to a birthday photograph shared by actor Trisha featuring Vijay.

Police registered an FIR on June 23 under Sections 352 (intentional insult) and 353 (promoting enmity) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

According to police sources, Radhakrishnan failed to appear before investigators despite two summons. He then sought anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court, which was rejected, leading to his arrest.

This is the first major political action against an opposition leader since the ruling TVK came to power. The DMK has criticised the arrest as an 'overreach' and accused the government of trying to divert attention from issues such as crimes against women and alleged 'horse-trading' of legislators by the TVK. The TVK has denied these allegations.

DMK president MK Stalin said on X that Chief Minister Vijay was running a 'cinema-style police empire' and questioned why similar urgency was not shown in acting on a complaint by a gang rape survivor against a TVK MLA. DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi alleged the arrest was made in an 'authoritarian manner'.

The TVK government has not issued an official response to the criticism. Sources close to the government deny any political vendetta and maintain that police action was taken in accordance with the law.