Daijiworld Media Network – Chennai
Chennai, Jul 4: Former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK MLA Anitha R. Radhakrishnan was arrested on Friday after the Madras High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail plea in a case related to his alleged remarks against Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
The case stems from a speech delivered by Radhakrishnan at a public meeting in Athur near Tiruchendur on June 20 during the birth anniversary celebrations of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. Police alleged that the MLA made inflammatory remarks against the chief minister, following which a case was registered.
Fearing arrest, Radhakrishnan approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail. However, the court rejected his plea on Friday.
Soon after the order, a police team from Athur Police Station arrested the MLA while he was inspecting development works at a government office.
DMK workers attempted to prevent the arrest by surrounding the police vehicle and raising slogans against the TVK government. Despite the protest, police took Radhakrishnan into custody and shifted him to Athur Police Station near Tiruchendur.
While rejecting the bail plea, Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan orally observed that an elected representative should exercise restraint in public speeches.
"Being a member of the Legislative Assembly, what kind of speech have you made? Whoever it may be, you have to respect the Chief Minister," the judge remarked.
During the hearing, senior advocate N.R. Elango, appearing for Radhakrishnan, argued that the speech did not constitute the offences invoked by the police and contained no element of provocation.
He contended that, at most, the remarks could amount to defamation, for which a separate legal procedure exists, and argued that the police had wrongly invoked criminal provisions.
The court, however, observed that the complaint itself alleged the speech was provocative and declined to grant anticipatory bail.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has sought the Governor's sanction to investigate and prosecute former ministers Anitha R. Radhakrishnan and V. Senthil Balaji in connection with money laundering cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate.