Udhayanidhi Stalin faced arrest on Tuesday after the Thanjavur East Police registered a case against him over his controversial remarks targeting Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and actor Trisha Krishnan during a protest meeting in Thanjavur.
The case was registered based on a complaint filed by TVK Women’s Wing leader Bhairavi, who alleged that Udhayanidhi had made derogatory and obscene remarks about women during his speech. Police booked the DMK leader under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Harassment of Women Act, and the Information Technology Act.
Police Arrive At Neelankarai Residence
A police team led by Thanjavur Deputy Superintendent of Police Alagesan arrived at Udhayanidhi’s residence in Neelankarai, Chennai, early Tuesday morning to execute the arrest.
The move triggered tense scenes outside the residence as former minister Ma. Subramanian, Udhayanidhi’s wife Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi, senior DMK leaders, and party lawyers confronted police officers, requesting that the arrest be delayed until legal counsel arrived.
During the exchange, Ma. Subramanian appealed to the police to show “basic humanity,” arguing that Udhayanidhi should be given time before undertaking the nearly seven-hour journey to Thanjavur.
“Please give us just ten minutes. How can Udhayanidhi be expected to undertake the journey to Thanjavur without even being allowed to answer nature’s call?” he told the officers.
He further argued that a brief delay would not materially affect the situation.
“Whether you leave at 9 a.m., 10.30 a.m., or even 11 a.m., there will be the same level of public opposition. Why insist that he come out immediately?” he said.
“ஒரு 10 நிமிஷம் மட்டும் டைம் கொடுங்க, காலைக்கடனை முடிக்காமல் உதயநிதியால் எப்படி வர முடியும்?”
“10 நிமிஷம் 10 நிமிஷம்னு எவ்ளோ நேரம் சொல்லுவீங்க உடனே வந்து அவர கைதாவ சொல்லுங்க..” உதயநிதியை கைது செய்ய வந்த இணை ஆணையர் விஜயகுமாரிடம் கிருத்திகா, மா.சுப்பிரமணியன் பேச்சுவார்த்தை#DMK |… pic.twitter.com/85TqNOtRet
— Polimer News (@polimernews) August 4, 2026
Police Cite Law And Order Concerns
Senior police officers, however, maintained that they could not indefinitely postpone the arrest, citing their legal responsibilities and concerns over the growing crowd outside the residence.
One officer responded that prolonged delays would only worsen the law-and-order situation.
“We also have to maintain law and order. If there is any legal violation, you may point it out. But we cannot keep waiting indefinitely,” the officer said.
At one point during the discussion, the officers responded, “How long are you going to keep saying ‘ten minutes’? Ask him to come out immediately and get arrested.”
As the discussions continued, DMK leaders urged the police to handle the arrest in a dignified manner.
“This is about basic humanity. He’s being taken on a seven-to-eight-hour journey. Let the family speak to him for a few minutes and let everything proceed smoothly,” one of the leaders told the officers.
Controversial Speech Sparks Political Storm
The controversy stems from a protest organised by the DMK in Thanjavur over the Cauvery and Mekedatu issues.
During his address, Udhayanidhi criticised the TVK government, described the Cabinet as a “bunch of jokers,” accused Chief Minister Joseph Vijay of neglecting farmers over the delayed opening of the Mettur Dam, and made remarks that opponents alleged contained an obscene double entendre involving actor Trisha Krishnan.
The speech triggered widespread condemnation from the ruling TVK and several political parties, culminating in the criminal complaint against the DMK leader.
High Court Takes Up Urgent Plea
Meanwhile, Udhayanidhi moved the Madras High Court with an urgent petition seeking protection from coercive action. The plea argued that the proposed arrest was intended to prevent him from discharging his duties as the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
The High Court accepted the matter for urgent hearing and scheduled proceedings for Tuesday afternoon.
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