The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed Tamil Nadu police to release DMK MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who was arrested by Thanjavur Police over his alleged “double-meaning” remark alluding to popular actor Trisha. The court also recorded the Tamil Nadu government’s assurance that Udhayanidhi will not be remanded to judicial custody and will instead be released on station bail after questioning.
Appearing before Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, Tamil Nadu Advocate General P.S. Vijay Narayan informed the court that police had arrested Udhayanidhi and brought him to Thanjavur only for questioning. He said the State had no intention of seeking judicial remand and that he would be released after interrogation on Tuesday itself.
The court observed that the pre-arrest bail petition had become infructuous after the arrest. However, Justice Ilanthiraiyan noted that, based on the materials before the court, it could still grant bail if necessary. The judge ultimately recorded the Advocate General’s submission and directed Udhayanidhi Stalin to cooperate with the investigation whenever required.
Earlier, high drama unfolded in Chennai on Tuesday as Tamil Nadu Police arrested Udhayanidhi Stalin from his residence over his controversial remarks made during a speech that were widely interpreted as an innuendo targeting actor Trisha.
The comments, made at a rally on Monday, sparked a political storm, with the ruling TVK accusing the DMK leader of making objectionable remarks against the actor.
As police escorted him away, a smiling Udhayanidhi Stalin dismissed the arrest as “a joke” and said he would challenge it through legal means.
The DMK condemned the action as an act of political vendetta. Defending Stalin, DMK leader TKS Elangovan said there was nothing offensive in the speech. “He only listed Chief Minister Vijay’s failures. There was nothing insulting, and he did not even mention Trisha’s name,” Elangovan said.
Udhayanidhi, the leader of opposition, who was picked up from his residence in Chennai’s Neelangarai by the Thanjavur police, told reporters who gathered there that the “court will decide”.
“Did I mention anyone’s name except the CM’s? (at the protest held in Thanjavur) Then why do you think this is happening? Let the court decide,” he told reporters before being escorted away by police.
Promoting enmity, provocation with an intent to cause riot, and criminal intimidation were among the nine sections invoked against Udhayanidhi.