The Delhi Police have revealed that terror suspects arrested in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal were in regular contact with operatives in Bangladesh through the encrypted messaging platform Signal, as investigators uncovered what they described as a significant terror module with cross-border links.
According to officials, six suspects were arrested from Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu and two from West Bengal during coordinated operations on Sunday. Investigators alleged that the group was planning major attacks in India with support from Pakistan’s ISI and Bangladesh-based terrorist organisations.
Police identified the alleged handler of the module as Shabbir, who is said to have been operating from Bangladesh. Officials stated that Shabbir issued instructions to Umar Farooq of Malda, who functioned as the primary point of contact for the network in India.
Investigators further claimed that provocative posters recovered in the national capital had been printed in Kolkata after Shabbir allegedly sent the PDF files electronically. The group had also set up a base in Kolkata by renting a house on the outskirts of the city under Shabbir’s direction, police said.
According to the probe, Shabbir transferred more than ₹80,000 to fund the purchase of weapons for the module.
The six men arrested in Tamil Nadu were identified as Mizanur Rahman, Mohammad Shabat, Umar, Mohammad Litan, Mohammad Shahid, and Mohammad Ujjal. Officials said they were working in the Tiruppur garment industry and allegedly used fake Aadhaar cards to conceal their identities.
During the searches, authorities seized eight mobile phones and 16 SIM cards. Police alleged that the suspects had been circulating pro-Pakistan terrorist content on social media and had carried out reconnaissance activities in multiple cities.
Investigators also claimed that four of the accused had travelled to Delhi, where they allegedly pasted “Free Kashmir” and other provocative posters at a metro station during the AI Impact Summit before returning to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
The Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) stepped up its election pitch after party chief Seeman unveiled candidates for all 234 Assembly constituencies at a high-energy conference in Alapatti Pudur, Trichy district. The event, which saw massive participation from cadres and supporters, has since drawn attention on social media, not just for its political messaging but also for the discipline displayed by attendees.
With the Assembly elections only months away, Seeman confirmed that he will contest from Karaikudi while positioning NTK as an independent alternative to the DMK and AIADMK alliances. The party also announced gender parity in its slate, fielding 117 women and 117 men across constituencies.
Viral Moments After the Conference
What particularly caught public attention, however, came after the speeches ended. Video clips circulating online showed young volunteers, including children, helping elders rearrange chairs at the venue, a gesture that many users praised as reflecting organisational discipline.
Several observers remarked that the scenes reminded them of the volunteer culture seen in structured cadre-based movements, with supporters voluntarily staying back to restore order at the venue rather than dispersing immediately.
It is also noteworthy that the conference did not make the headlines for alcohol consumption, cash distribution, violence, or law and order issues at the venue.
What’s Zero in NTK Campaign?
1. NO Drinkers
2. NO payments
3. NO Deaths
4. NO Corruptions
5. NO Chair Damages..Etc,
What a Brilliant Crowd and Organisation made by Team ‘ Naam Tamilar Katchi’ and team IT wings. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/8elTsdZVFP
The visuals quickly triggered comparisons with another widely discussed event, the Murugan Devotees Conference organised by Hindu Munnani in June 2025, at Amma Thidal in Madurai. That gathering had similarly gone viral after attendees were seen neatly stacking chairs and volunteers cleaned the grounds, leaving the venue reportedly spotless by the next morning.
Social media users at the time had contrasted that display of civic discipline with the aftermath of some political rallies, particularly targeting DMK meetings where critics have often alleged poor post-event cleanliness.
For NTK, the conference was meant to showcase electoral readiness. But if social media reactions are any indication, the party may have also scored a quieter public relations win, through the small but widely shared images of disciplined cadre behaviour after the crowds went home.
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Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court judge Justice GR Swaminathan delivered a strongly worded speech defending India’s guru tradition and criticising what he termed “fake rationalism” during a Guru Vandana event held in Hosur.
The programme, organised by a Satsang group to honour Udupi Pejawar Mutt seer Vishwaprasanna Theertha Swamiji, saw the judge share a personal experience to underline the spiritual significance of the guru concept.
Narrating an incident from a late-night highway journey, Justice Swaminathan said, “I will just narrate one incident and conclude. My daughter had completed her law course in Patiala. My wife and I went there for the convocation. A few months ago, after the function, we planned to return to Delhi the same night. But everyone advised us not to go, they said the mist was heavy, traffic was very bad and we should avoid the highway. But despite that, we decided to start, trusting the driver’s confidence. Around 1 AM, somewhere between Chandigarh and Delhi, there was such heavy mist that visibility was not even five feet. While driving on the highway, the car’s rear wheel got punctured. Just imagine, my daughter was seated in front; there was me, my wife and the driver.”
He continued, “The driver tried to fix the stepney but couldn’t properly. My wife knows some mechanics, so she also got down to help. Just imagine; the visibility was less than five feet. At 1AM on the highway, my wife and the driver were working on the tyre while traffic kept passing. At any moment, a vehicle could have hit from behind. I became very frightened.”
He further said, “It was such a helpless situation. At that moment, when we say ‘Guru Maharaj,’ each of us may belong to different mutts or traditions, but the philosophy is one. It means Dakshinamoorthy only. For nearly 30 minutes, they struggled. As vehicles kept coming very close, the only word that came to my mouth was ‘Gurunatha, Gurunatha…’ For me, the question of why God exists is a different matter, it is an abstract thing, but the Guru is the living presence of God. It is very difficult to hold on to God’s feet, but it is very easy to hold on to the Guru’s feet.”
He continued, “That incident changed my life deeply. When we feel helpless, the one who gives us courage and support is only the Guru’s grace, nothing else can. Now in Tamil Nadu, some people who call themselves ‘rationalists’, call us immoral, foolish and barbaric because we see the Guru as the embodiment of God. I say, those who say so are the ones who are immoral, foolish and barbaric.”
He added, “I have very close connections with many spiritual movements. Recently, I have been closely associated with a yogi near Tenkasi. He says that we only see the body, but there is always an aura around us. That aura is especially strong around Guru Maharajas. When we come near that aura, many of our weaknesses get cleansed and washed away.”
He added, “The Satsang people here have organised this Guru Vandana for us. By going near the Guru, we place ourselves within that aura and purify ourselves. They have given us a wonderful opportunity for that, and we are indebted to them. Earlier in this event, six or seven people were honoured. Look at each of them, they have built excellent institutions. One courageous woman has established a wonderful school despite many people being afraid to give school campuses for dharmic events in several towns. When I see all of them, do you know what I feel? I still have about four-and-a-half years of service left as a judge. Seeing this courage makes me feel that I too should act even more boldly.”
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The Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Kerala High Court is considering moving the High Court against the Kollam vigilance court’s order granting bail to Sabarimala tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru in the gold theft case.
Sources indicated that the SIT has sought legal opinion and a final decision on filing an appeal is expected within two days. Investigators are understood to be concerned that the vigilance court’s observations could adversely affect the ongoing probe.
According to sources familiar with the SIT’s assessment, the vigilance court, while dealing with a bail application, went into the merits of the case. They maintained that since the SIT was responding only to the bail plea, it had not placed the entire body of evidence before the court and that several issues commented upon were matters to be examined during trial.
Rajeevaru was granted bail in two cases relating to the alleged theft of gold from the temple door frames and dwarapalaka idols on February 18, the 41st day of his custody. The vigilance court had observed that the investigators had failed to produce “an iota of evidence” and could not establish any prima facie material linking the tantri to the alleged conspiracy.
The court’s remarks have put the state government under pressure, with Opposition parties questioning the basis of the arrest.
In his bail plea, Rajeevaru had contended that he was being targeted for opposing the entry of women into the Sabarimala shrine, a claim that triggered fresh political criticism of the CPI(M)-led government.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that the arrest should be viewed as a political conspiracy and alleged that it was intended to prevent the investigation from reaching former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran and current minister V. N. Vasavan.
Responding to the controversy, Law Minister P Rajeeve said the vigilance court order contained unusual features. He remarked that the nature of the order resembled that of a Supreme Court judgment and described the vigilance court’s order as abnormal.
DMK scion and TN Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin intensified his attack on Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami and the BJP-led Union government during a recent party address, sharpening political rhetoric ahead of the Assembly elections.
Speaking at the event, Udhayanidhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s style of governance. He said, “Union Prime Minister Mr. Modi appears on television from time to time. Whenever he appears on TV, people become anxious – wondering what he is going to say this time.”
Referring to past central decisions, he added, “In 2020, you will remember, one day he suddenly appeared on television and said coronavirus was coming and that the only way to handle it was for everyone to go inside their homes and remain shut in for a month.”
He further said, “In 2016, in the same way, he suddenly came on TV and announced demonetisation, saying the ₹500 and ₹1000 notes people had would no longer be valid,” and alleged that “so many people, hundreds of people died standing in queues under the sun.”
Contrasting governance models, Udhayanidhi claimed the BJP-led Union government was “a government that snatches from the people,” while the DMK’s Dravidian Model government “always gives to the people.”
Sharp Swipe at EPS
Turning his focus to AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Udhayanidhi criticised his praise for the Union Budget.
He said, “Recently the Union government presented its Budget. If you look at that Budget, no scheme was allotted to Tamil Nadu. But even before they finished reading the Budget fully, praise came from Tamil Nadu – from the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Edappadi Palaniswami. That is why today Tyre-fame Edappadi Palaniswami is praising (fire) the Budget.”
In one of his strongest remarks, Udhayanidhi said, “We have seen many extreme devotees (murattu bhaktar) in politics; we have seen extreme party workers (murattu thondar). But today, Mr. Edappadi Palaniswami has become an ‘extreme slave’ (murattu adimai) to Mr. Modi.”
He further alleged that Palaniswami had progressively surrendered the AIADMK to the BJP between 2019 and 2026. He said, “You may have seen on television, three days ago, Leader of the Opposition Edappadi Palaniswami went to a theatre and watched an MGR film and became emotional and cried. I thought, if Mr. MGR were alive today, how he would have cried seeing what has happened to his party. In 2019, he mortgaged the AIADMK to the BJP. In 2021, he leased the AIADMK to the BJP. Now in 2026, he has completely sold the AIADMK to the BJP. For his selfish interests, Edappadi Palaniswami is taking the AIADMK on the path of destruction.”
He added, “You may have heard a proverb – the lid that fits the pot. In that way, today Edappadi Palaniswami has become a fitting subordinate for Modi.”
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A functionary of actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has sparked controversy after publicly claiming he threatened a sanitation worker for not blowing a whistle, the party’s symbol, during a political speech in North Chennai.
In a video that has surfaced online, the TVK cadre is heard making provocative remarks while urging party workers to intensify campaign efforts.
He said, “You all know how I have worked. For the past six months, brother Thanika and the key people know, there is nothing there in the AIADMK. Even the name of Edappadiyar does not exist in that town or constituency.”
Expressing confidence about the party’s prospects, he added, “Let me tell you, even if the two parties join together, even if you add 13, 10, and five or six more, you cannot shake our leader. Write this down.”
Projecting electoral optimism, the functionary said, “On May 15, the one who will hoist the flag at Fort St. George will be our leader – only him.”
He further called on supporters to mobilise aggressively, stating, “If you stand with me… we will make everyone run. You are not just fans – you are the pillars of the party.”
Threat Remark Draws Attention
The most contentious portion of the speech came when he described an interaction with a sanitation worker. The functionary said, “They told the Corporation not to blow whistles but to speak on the mic. A sanitation worker told me this. I told him, ‘I will thrash you, if you don’t blow the whistle at my house, I will thrash you.’ So, from morning he has been blowing the whistle.”
He urged cadres to ensure victory in North Chennai, saying, “Therefore, in North Chennai, we will definitely win all eight constituencies and hand victory to our general secretary.”
Rallying supporters, he concluded, “In the coming election, let us shout ‘Whistle, whistle, whistle’ and hail our leader. Our symbol is the whistle – nothing else should be known.”
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The Delhi Police recently arrested six suspects from Tamil Nadu for allegedly planning a major terrorist plot with the support of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, and Bangladeshi terrorist organisations.
According to the Delhi Police, the suspects are being brought to the national capital for further investigation. Officials said a Bangladeshi national is among those arrested. Dozens of mobile phones and SIM cards were recovered from the accused during the operation.
Six suspects arrested from Tamil Nadu for planning a major terrorist plot with the support of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, and Bangladeshi terrorist organisations. Delhi Police are bringing all the suspects from Tamil Nadu to Delhi. A Bangladeshi citizen is among the…
The development triggered sharp political reactions in Tamil Nadu.
BJP leader K Annamalai, in a post on X, alleged that the DMK government had failed to maintain law and order in the state. He wrote that the “corrupt & incompetent DMK Govt has transformed a once peaceful state into a safe haven for terrorists, anti-social elements, international drug smugglers and ruthless criminals.”
He further stated that the state’s law and order situation was in disarray and alleged that capable civil servants were being diverted from governance priorities.
Annamalai also accused the ruling dispensation of remaining a “mute spectator” instead of acting in the interests of the state and the country.
The corrupt & incompetent DMK Govt has transformed a once peaceful state into a safe haven for terrorists, Anti-social elements, International Drug smugglers and ruthless criminals.
The law & order of the State is in shambles for the very reason. The most competent & respected… https://t.co/c9OSdrpcz4
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin has sparked a political controversy after his sharp remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent address, drawing strong reactions ahead of the Assembly elections.
Speaking at a party event, Udhayanidhi criticised the Union government’s policies and leadership style. He said, “Union Prime Minister Mr. Modi appears on television from time to time. Whenever he appears on TV, people become anxious – wondering what he is going to say this time.”
Referring to past decisions of the Centre, he added, “In 2020, you will remember, one day he suddenly appeared on television and said coronavirus was coming and that the only way to handle it was for everyone to go inside their homes and remain shut in for a month.”
He added, “In 2016, in the same way, he suddenly came on TV and announced demonetisation, saying the ₹500 and ₹1000 notes people had would no longer be valid.” He further alleged that “so many people, hundreds of people died standing in queues under the sun.”
Contrasting the Centre with the state government, Udhayanidhi said the BJP-led Union government was “a government that snatches from the people,” while the DMK’s Dravidian Model government “always gives to the people.”
He also accused the Centre of attempting to undermine Tamil Nadu’s growth and rights, alleging efforts to impose Hindi and Sanskrit through the New Education Policy and claiming that the Union Budget had not allocated schemes for the state. He said, “The Union BJP government is now planning how to obstruct that progress. They are trying to take away every right – language rights, education rights, financial rights. By bringing the New Education Policy, they are trying to bring Hindi and Sanskrit into Tamil Nadu. Mr. Amit Shah and Mr. Modi, who never used to even look towards Tamil Nadu, have started coming frequently now that elections are approaching. Only they will come, but no funds will come to Tamil Nadu, no schemes will come.”
He added, “Recently the Union government presented its Budget. If you look at that Budget, no scheme was allotted to Tamil Nadu. But even before they finished reading the Budget fully, praise came from Tamil Nadu – from the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Edappadi Palaniswami. That is why today Edappadi Palaniswami is praising the Budget.”
Targeting AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Udhayanidhi said, “We have seen many extreme devotees (murattu bhaktar)in politics; we have seen extreme party workers (murattu thondar). But today, Mr. Edappadi Palaniswami has become an “extreme slave” to Mr. Modi.” He further alleged that Palaniswami had progressively surrendered the AIADMK to the BJP between 2019 and 2026.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s most controversial remark came when he asserted, “Today across India they are trying to threaten movements using agencies like the ED and CBI. To all this, our leader gave a clear reply yesterday in Madurai – What cases will you file? Are these cases that DMK cadres have not seen before? The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a movement that stood up even against the Army during the language struggle; it is a movement that faced MISA. Even if our lives go, we will never give up our self-respect. We will never give up Tamil Nadu’s rights.”
He added, “That is why I keep saying – we are not afraid of the ED, we are not afraid of Modi. Even if not Modi, even if Modi’s daddy comes, we are ready to face them.”
BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla Hits Back At Udhayanidhi Stalin
Following this, the BJP launched a sharp attack on the DMK, with party leaders accusing the ruling party of lowering political discourse.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised both the DMK and its ally Congress, referring to last week’s protest at the India AI Impact Summit and Udhayanidhi’s earlier comments on Sanatan Dharma.
“Congress went shirtless, topless, and characterless in the way it protested at the AI Summit. Actually, it was not a protest; it was a disruption. And now the DMK, its ally, has gone senseless, ethicless, and moralless,” Poonawalla told news agency ANI.
Escalating his attack, Poonawalla alleged that Udhayanidhi Stalin had repeatedly made objectionable remarks.
“Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has given death threats to Hindus and called for the genocide of Hindus, is now targeting the Prime Minister’s late father. Imagine. In the Bihar elections, the I.N.D.I. Alliance targeted and abused his mother. They have used more than 150 abusive words, especially against his mother and father, particularly because he comes from the OBC community,” he said.
“They have abused his family and his background. They have abused him for being a chaiwala. They have said, “Modi, teri kabar khudegi,” and threatened that he would die or be killed, using violent language like “lathi dande.” Now Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has said that he wants to exterminate Hindus and eradicate Sanatan, and for which the High Court has come down heavily on him, has delivered such hate speech. And now he is abusing the Prime Minister’s late father. This shows the journey from shirtless to shameless, from characterless to senseless. This is the directionless I.N.D.I. Alliance. They talk about the Constitution, but they are an ‘abuse ki dukaan’,” Poonawalla added.
VIDEO | Delhi: On Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks on PM Narendra Modi’s father, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla says, “Congress went shirtless, topless, and characterless with the way it protested at the AI Summit. It was not protest, it was disruption. Now DMK,… pic.twitter.com/21nnMXLo5J
The BJP on Saturday organised a street-corner campaign titled “Tomorrow is ours… Tamil Nadu is ours!” in Chintadripet, within the Chepauk–Thiruvallikeni Assembly constituency.
Addressing the gathering, BJP leader K. Annamalai said, “Yes, change is needed. In politics, heroic speeches won’t bring change. Structure and experience matter – leaders who connect with people, who deeply understand people’s problems. When such leaders are present, real change happens. That’s why I have great respect for all leaders.”
Praising Naam Tamilar Katchi chief Seeman’s latest announcement of candidates for all 234 constituencies in the state, Annamalai said, “Regarding Seeman, putting up a candidate in all 234 constituencies is a big deal – 117 men and 117 women, that’s significant.”
He, however, argued that the upcoming election was not the time for political experimentation. “But today’s election isn’t about taking risks. 10.62 lakh crore in debt – they made mistakes for five years, friend. Tamil Nadu has had enough. That’s why this election is different – Vijay has come leaving 250 crores, asking for votes. I respect that, but think about whether this election is for him,” he said.
Calling for consolidation of opposition votes against the ruling party, Annamalai added, “That’s why this time, every vote against DMK shouldn’t be scattered. All anti-DMK votes should unite behind the NDA. Even if it’s a four-cornered fight, when votes go into the EVM machine, it becomes a two-cornered contest. I have faith in that. And when the button is pressed, it will become a single-cornered contest. I have faith in that.”
The meeting was part of the BJP’s ongoing outreach efforts ahead of the upcoming elections.
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Human rights activist Henri Tiphagne has alleged custodial torture and raised serious questions over the death of a youth identified as Vibhi alias Punithan, claiming it was the 24th custodial death since the DMK assumed office.
Detailing the sequence of events, Tiphagne said, “Ever since the DMK has come to power, this is the 24th custodial death that has occurred. A man named Vibhi alias Punithan from Koodameri, Tambaram, was arrested by 3 policemen in mufti on 13 February 2026, Friday at 630AM from his home.”
He further stated, “That evening, they get a certificate/approval clearing him to be taken into custody, from Chromepet Hospital. Following that, he is admitted at Puzhal prison that evening at 6PM. The magistrate who ordered the magistrate is a question we must ask.”
Raising concerns about the prisoner’s medical condition, Tiphagne alleged, “At Puzhal prison, after seeing the injuries on his body, the swelling on his hands, the injuries on his legs below his knees, the injuries on the soles of his feet, he was refused admission at Puzhal prison and was sent to Stanley hospital.”
He added, “At Stanley, he was prepared for admission for treatment. But instead of keeping him under custody there, he is taken at 8PM once again to Puzhal prison by the doctors. What kind of doctors are they?”
According to Tiphagne, the man’s condition deteriorated days later. He said, “On the 18th, once again his health is not good at Puzhal prison so his brother Gopinath receives information that he is being taken to Stanley Hospital for treatment. On 19th, we hear that he passed away.”
Tiphagne described the deceased as belonging to the Scheduled Caste community and alleged custodial torture. He said, “He is a youngster from the SC community. He is the victim of yet another brutal police torture under DMK government.”
He also questioned senior police leadership, stating, “Will Amalraj IPS of Tambaram Commissionerate answer? Is this your leadership trait? This is a torture that has taken place without any prior intimation by the Shankarnagar police station that comes under your purview.”
Calling for wider accountability, Tiphagne said, “Who is the magistrate who permitted his remand? Who are the doctors who certified him fit for being remanded? It is our responsibility to add them to the case.”
