THOOTHUKUDI: Following the denial of anticipatory bail in a defamation case over alleged derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, Thoothukudi police arrested former minister and DMK South District Secretary Anitha R Radhakrishnan in Authoor on Friday.
Radhakrishnan, the sitting Tiruchendur MLA, was escorted to the Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police's office for questioning.
Sources said Radhakrishnan was inspecting records at the Authoor Town Panchayat when a police team led by Authoor Police Inspector (in-charge) Rhennis apprehended him in connection with the case.
The police then took the DMK MLA to the SP's office, where Additional Superintendent of Police (ADSP) Arumugam questioned him.
Meanwhile, condemning the police action against the sitting MLA, DMK cadres led by Corporation Mayor Jegan Periyasamy staged a protest outside the SP's office. Another group of DMK cadres staged a road blockade in Authoor and argued with police personnel.
Notably, Authoor police registered an FIR against Radhakrishnan on June 23 for allegedly making defamatory and provocative remarks against CM Vijay while addressing a public meeting in Authoor on June 20.
The complaint was lodged by TVK Authoor Urban Secretary S Selvam, seeking action against Radhakrishnan over his alleged derogatory remarks.
'Have to respect the chief minister'
The anticipatory bail petition filed by Radhakrishnan was dismissed by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday (July 3, 2026).
Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan dismissed the application filed by the former minister seeking pre-arrest bail. He said people had elected Vijay as chief minister and, therefore, he had to be respected. He added that the petitioner, Radhakrishnan, was not a layman but an MLA.
“Whoever may be, you have to respect the chief minister,” he said.
The judge stated, “The state of Tamil Nadu, from 1967 ruled by people from the film industry. All the chief ministers (are from this industry). Then why (you are making) these kinds of speeches?”
Senior counsel NR Elango, representing the former minister, submitted that the police had registered an FIR against him for intentional provocation to breach the peace and public mischief.
Stating that the registration of the FIR was contrary to the procedure for initiating defamation cases, he said the comments did not contain the ingredients set out in Sections 352 and 353 of the BNS.
He questioned the manner in which the police had registered the FIR and noted that there are prescribed procedures even for prosecution.
"Never ever can an offence like this be registered by the police and investigated," he said.
The state counsel submitted that the speech was wholly unnecessary as Radhakrishnan is a seven-time MLA and the function had been organised to distribute welfare assistance.
Further, he noted that the former minister had not even expressed remorse for his derogatory comments against the chief minister.