DMK MLA Anitha Radhakrishnan arrested in CM Vijay defamation case
Tiruchendur MLA arrested over alleged derogatory comments against TN Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay; arrest adds to a series of legal actions by the TVK govt against former DMK ministers
Tamil Nadu Police on Friday (July 3) reached the residence of DMK MLA and former minister Anitha Radhakrishnan in Thoothukudi and arrested him in connection with a case registered over his alleged defamatory and objectionable remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
The arrest follows the Madras High Court’s dismissal earlier in the day of his anticipatory bail petition in the case. Radhakrishnan, the Tiruchendur constituency MLA, was taken into custody by the local police.
The case was registered by Authoor police based on a complaint filed by TVK functionaries. It pertains to a speech Radhakrishnan delivered on June 20, 2026, during a welfare programme and birth anniversary event in Authoor near Tiruchendur.
Alleged defamatory remarks
In his address, he allegedly made remarks mocking the chief minister’s demeanour in the Assembly, stating that Vijay appeared “trapped”, and referencing his pre-political life with comments such as “How happy I was at home with an actress. Now I’m trapped here.”
He also used a merchant-customer analogy to describe reading the CM’s “bewildered expression”.
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The FIR was booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions dealing with intentional insult and statements intended to promote enmity or ill-will.
Radhakrishnan had approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail, arguing the case was politically motivated. The court dismissed the plea, observing that as an elected representative, one must maintain respect for the office of the chief minister.
Series of legal actions against DMK leaders
The arrest comes amid a series of legal actions and investigations targeting former DMK ministers and leaders under the new TVK government.
- EV Velu (former highways minister): The DVAC has registered a corruption case against him and 10 others over alleged irregularities in road contracts, including payments made for unexecuted works. Raids were conducted recently, with unaccounted cash seized. Velu has denied wrongdoing and said he will cooperate with the probe.
- PK Sekar Babu (former minister): Faces a case registered by North Beach police in Chennai including attempt-to-murder charges over an alleged clash on polling day involving a TVK candidate.
- SS Sivashankaran (former transport minister): His personal assistant was arrested in a job fraud case involving allegations of collecting bribes to secure government posts. The former minister has been summoned for questioning.
The DMK has described these actions as political vendetta aimed at opposition leaders. The ruling side maintains they are legitimate probes into corruption and violations of law.
