Former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK MLA Anitha R Radhakrishnan was arrested on Friday after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a defamation case linked to remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
The case relates to a speech allegedly delivered by Radhakrishnan at a DMK public meeting in Athoor, Thoothukudi district, on June 20. Police said his remarks were defamatory and inflammatory. Soon after the court refused to grant protection from arrest, Tamil Nadu Police took him into custody.
The arrest has triggered a fresh political row in the state. DMK leader M K Stalin criticised the action and called it oppressive, accusing the government of using police power against political opponents.
The case is expected to intensify the confrontation between the ruling TVK government and the opposition DMK, as legal proceedings against Radhakrishnan continue.
