DMK Deputy General Secretary A. Raja and Harbour MLA and Chennai East District Secretary P.K. Sekarbabu have been booked in separate cases over alleged derogatory remarks made during party protests in Chennai on September 12 against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, as reported in Mathrubhumi.
A case was registered at B1 North Beach Police Station against Sekarbabu following a complaint alleging that he made derogatory remarks about Chief Minister Vijay and a minister while addressing a protest near the Chennai Collectorate on Rajaji Salai.
According to police, the case was registered on September 14 as Crime No. 287/2026 under Sections 296, 352, 196(1), 353(1), 352(2) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The complaint reportedly invokes allegations corresponding to provisions of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code, including Sections 294, 504, 153A(1) and 505(1).
The complaint was filed by Jagadeswari, 37, wife of Manimaran, who works as a construction worker and is a TVK member. She reportedly told police that she heard Sekarbabu’s speech during the protest and that a video lasting around seven minutes and 12 seconds had captured the address.
The complaint alleged that Sekarbabu used abusive and derogatory expressions against Vijay and Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar. It also alleged that he made remarks concerning the Chief Minister’s response to the Karur incident, in which 41 people died.
According to the complaint, some of the remarks concerning the minister could potentially create hostility between DMK and BJP supporters and affect public order. The investigation is being conducted by Inspector Mani of the B1 Law and Order Police Station.
Meanwhile, A. Raja has also been booked in a separate case at Saidapet Police Station over remarks he allegedly made during another DMK protest in the city.
The complaint, filed by lawyer Karthi of Saidapet, alleged that Raja made insulting remarks concerning the mother of Minister Nirmal Kumar while addressing the demonstration. Police registered a case under seven sections of the BNS.
Separately, police have booked at least 200 DMK functionaries and members over the September 12 protest at Saidapet, which was held against remarks made by Chief Minister Vijay in the Assembly, as reported in The New Indian Express.
Those booked reportedly include Raja, Sekarbabu, former ministers Ma. Subramanian and R.S. Bharathi, Chennai Mayor R. Priya and other senior party functionaries.
Police said the Saidapet protest was held without prior permission and at a location that was not designated for demonstrations. A case was initially registered under Section 189(2) of the BNS relating to unlawful assembly, with police indicating that additional sections could be considered after further examination.
A police officer reportedly said that the authorities would consult senior officers before deciding whether more provisions should be invoked.
The September 12 protests were organised by the DMK across Tamil Nadu following Vijay’s remarks in the Assembly. The subsequent police cases have now brought both senior DMK leaders and party functionaries under investigation over alleged violations and remarks made during the demonstrations.
In another development, Tiruvallur district TVK functionaries reportedly submitted a complaint to the district police against DMK members over alleged derogatory remarks directed at TVK leaders during one of the protests. They sought police action against those responsible.
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