Ex DMK Minister Anitha R. Radhakrishnan Held Over Alleged Defamatory Remarks Against CM Vijay: What Did He Say

Anitha R. Radhakrishnan, the former Tamil Nadu minister and a prominent member of the DMK party, was picked up by the police on Friday following the rejection of his application for anticipatory bail by the Madras High Court in a defamation case.

The defamation case pertains to allegations of defamatory comments made by Radhakrishnan against the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu C. Joseph Vijay at a public rally in the Thoothukudi district.

High Court Rejects Anticipatory Bail

This occurred immediately after Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan of the Madras High Court had rejected the anticipatory bail petition filed by Radhakrishnan.

In rejecting his plea, the court is said to have noted that Tamil Nadu has been ruled by individuals in the movie industry from 1967 and raised doubts regarding the speech claimed to be made by the ex-minister during the public function.

Having failed to protect the individual against arrest, the police went ahead with the process of arresting him.

Arrested During Inspection Visit

As per the police sources, Radhakrishnan had visited Athoor Town Panchayat, which comes under Tiruchendur assembly constituency, to check the developmental works in progress.
It is said that he had inspected the Town Panchayat Office and the newly erected building before coming out to exit the place.

The police officials subsequently stopped his car, arrested him and then handed him over to the SP's office.

What Is the Case Against Him?

The present case is associated with a speech made by Radhakrishnan during a public meeting held by the DMK in Athoor on June 20.

A case has been filed against him for making defamatory speeches against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and for making provocative speeches that can lead to unrest.
The investigation has been initiated after complaints were lodged about his speech.
The complaints are presently being investigated and the case will be now taken up by the courts.

DMK Workers Stage Protest

As soon as Radhakrishnan was arrested, DMK workers congregated at the location and started protesting against the action taken by the police.

Shouts were made by the protesters that the government is targeting their opposition leaders and also roadblocks were created for a while in Athoor.
Additional forces were used by the police to handle the situation.

Arrest by Kanimozhi Considered Political

Kanimozhi, a Member of Parliament belonging to DMK, has vehemently criticized the arrest and termed it as a political one.

In her statement, she accused the government of using the police to gag its opponents. She also accused Radhakrishnan of being arrested during an official inspection tour in his constituency and stated that the DMK will go on opposing such oppressive measures.

Political and Legal Struggle Likely to Be Continued

This latest incident has added another political aspect to the already existing political struggle between the two political parties.

As the plea for anticipatory bail is refused and the investigation process is still going on, it is likely to attract more attention legally and politically.

Further investigations from the authorities and further court proceedings will decide the future course of actions.