Chennai Police Commissioner Arun has ordered that Revolutionary Tamilagam Katchi leader Airport Moorthy be detained under the Goondas Act, following his arrest in connection with a violent clash outside the Tamil Nadu DGP office earlier this month.
The incident occurred on 6 September 2025, when members of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and Moorthy’s Puratchi Tamilagam Katchi converged near the DGP office in Mylapore. The PMK delegation, led by Salem West MLA Arul, had arrived to submit a petition over an attack on one of its local leaders when VCK members confronted Moorthy, a known critic of VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan.
Eyewitnesses said VCK cadres verbally abused and assaulted Moorthy, with video footage showing him being hit with sandals. Police personnel tried to intervene but failed to contain the scuffle. Moorthy retaliated during the altercation, and a VCK functionary named Thileepan was later admitted to Royapettah Government Hospital with injuries.
Both factions lodged complaints at the Marina Police Station. While Moorthy was booked under multiple sections, including for obscene language and grievous hurt, and taken into custody, no VCK members involved in the assault were arrested.
On Monday, Commissioner Arun issued orders to detain Moorthy under the Goondas Prevention Act, extending his incarceration beyond ordinary bail provisions.
Moorthy has alleged that he had repeatedly warned police about threats from VCK supporters and accused the government of shielding Thirumavalavan’s cadre. VCK, in its counter-complaint, claimed Moorthy used a pocketknife during the scuffle.
The decision to invoke the Goondas Act against Moorthy, even as no action has been taken against those who attacked him in public outside the DGP office, has drawn sharp criticism of bias in law enforcement.
(With inputs from Hindu Tamil)
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