Udhayanidhi: Udhayanidhi Stalin arrest drama: Cops change venue where DMK leader will be quizzed – top developments | India News

Madras high court directed that Udhayanidhi Stalin be released on station bail after questioning

NEW DELHI: DMK leader and leader of opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested on Tuesday over his alleged “double-meaning” remark linked to actor Trisha.While the Madras high court directed that he would be released on station bail after questioning, the day witnessed dramatic political developments, protests by DMK workers and a war of words between the ruling TVK government and the opposition.

Questioning begins as Udhayanidhi waves at supporters outside Sengipatti police station

Questioning of Udhayanidhi Stalin has begun at the Sengipatti police station in Thanjavur district. After stepping out of the police vehicle that brought him from Chennai, the DMK leader waved at the large gathering of supporters outside before entering the police station for the inquiry.DMK cadres continued to assemble outside the premises, raising slogans in his support.

Udhayanidhi taken inside Sengipatti police station as DMK workers gather

After a brief delay, Udhayanidhi Stalin stepped out of the police van that brought him from Chennai and entered the Sengipatti police station in Thanjavur district for questioning.Meanwhile, DMK cadres have also started gathering in large numbers outside the police station, raising slogans in support of the leader of opposition as the inquiry gets underway.

Inquiry shifted to Sengipatti as DMK leaders reach police station

In the latest development, police changed the venue for Udhayanidhi Stalin’s questioning, rerouting his convoy to Sengipatti between Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli instead of the Thanjavur West police station, where he was initially expected to be questioned.Former DMK ministers K N Nehru, E V Velu and M R K Panneerselvam reached the Sengipatti police station and accompanied Udhayanidhi during the inquiry.Meanwhile, a large number of DMK cadres gathered near the Thanjavur West police station after reports initially suggested that he would be questioned there.

High Court orders release after questioning

Earlier in the day, the Madras high court directed the Tamil Nadu Police to release Udhayanidhi after completing the inquiry and asked him to cooperate with the investigation whenever required.During the hearing, advocate general Vijay Narayan informed the court that the police did not intend to seek Udhayanidhi’s judicial remand.“He has already been arrested but will be let off after questioning. We do not intend to remand Udhayanidhi Stalin. He will be released on station bail after inquiry,” the advocate general told the court, according to news agency ANI.

Arrested over alleged remarks linked to Trisha

Udhayanidhi was taken into custody by the Thanjavur Police from his residence in Chennai’s Neelankarai on Tuesday morning in connection with an FIR registered over his speech at a Cauvery protest in Thanjavur on Monday.He has been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and the Information Technology Act.Charges include allegedly using obscene words, insulting the modesty of a woman, promoting enmity, provoking riots and criminal intimidation.The controversy erupted after sections of the crowd chanted actor Trisha’s name during his speech, following which he allegedly made a double-entendre remark.The women’s wing of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) lodged a complaint, alleging that the remarks insulted the actor and women in general.

Udhayanidhi denies allegations, says remarks were distorted

Before being taken away by the police, Udhayanidhi maintained that he had not targeted anyone and said the matter would be decided by the courts.“Did I mention anyone’s name except the CM’s? Then why do you think this is happening? Let the court decide,” he told reporters.Later, he alleged that edited clips of his speech had been circulated to create a “fake narrative.”“They have propagated fake news by using ‘Cut, Copy, Paste’ to claim I said something I never said. I am not the kind of person to be intimidated by all this. I will face it legally,” he said, as quoted by ANI.The DMK has maintained that his remarks were misrepresented and were directed at the government’s functioning rather than any individual.

DMK alleges political vendetta; Stalin attacks TVK government

DMK president M K Stalin strongly criticised the TVK government over the arrest, accusing it of acting with “arrogance” and trying to stop Udhayanidhi from attending the Assembly budget session.He alleged that police had “arrogantly” taken Udhayanidhi into custody from Chennai and transported him to Thanjavur under non-bailable charges. Stalin also claimed that the government’s stand changed in court after public outrage, with its lawyers stating there was no intention to seek judicial custody.Calling the high court’s order a setback for the government, Stalin demanded the immediate release of all DMK workers detained during protests across the state.

Protests erupt across Tamil Nadu

The arrest triggered protests by DMK cadres across Tamil Nadu, with workers staging demonstrations and road blockades condemning the police action.At the party headquarters, M K Stalin chaired a meeting to discuss the next course of action ahead of the Assembly session beginning on August 5.Senior leaders, including P K Sekar Babu, K N Nehru and Ma Subramanian, rallied behind Udhayanidhi, while the party moved the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail before his arrest.

TVK, Opposition leaders condemn remarks

While the DMK defended Udhayanidhi, the ruling TVK intensified its attack.TVK spokesperson Americai Narayanan accused the DMK leader of insulting women during a protest meant to highlight farmers’ issues, claiming that people had begun referring to him as “vulgar nidhi”.