Chennai: Tamil Nadu Police arrested DMK MLA and former minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan on Friday over his objectionable remarks against chief minister Joseph Vijay.
Radhakrishnan was taken into custody after the Madras High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition in connection with a case that relates to a speech. According to police, the MLA delivered the speech at a public meeting in Athur on June 20 during celebrations marking the birth anniversary of former chief minister M Karunanidhi.
#WATCH | Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu | Former Minister and DMK Tiruchendur MLA Anita R. Radhakrishnan arrested by the police. Today, the Madras High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail application in the case of alleged defamatory remarks made by him against CM Vijay. pic.twitter.com/p0VTbgp5Cm
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2026
Following his ‘inflammatory’ remarks against CM Vijay, Radhakrishnan was booked. He moved the High Court seeking anticipatory bail, which was denied.
Radhakrishnan had mocked Vijay’s appearance, and his transition from the film industry to politics.
Referring to a recent confrontation between DMK MLA S Austin and CM Vijay in the Assembly during a discussion on law and order, Radhakrishnan had said: “Brother Austin pointed his finger at CM and asked him, ‘Won’t you open your mouth and speak?’ He looked trapped. It was like, ‘How did I get stuck here? How happy I was at home with an actress. Now I’m trapped here’.”
Radhakrishnan went on to compare the Tamil Nadu CM’s demeanour in the Assembly to that of a customer entering a shop.
“I’m a merchant and I know when someone enters a shop whether he wants to buy something or borrow money. Similarly, I can realise how he felt trapped in the Assembly,” Radhakrishnan further said.
While dismissing Radhakrishnan’s anticipatory bail plea, Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan observed that he should not have made such statements as a sitting legislator, Live Law reported. The judge noted that a number of personalities from the film industry were elected in Tamil Nadu since 1967, so the comments were unwarranted.
DMK strongly condemned Radhakrishnan’s arrest, accusing the state government of using oppressive tactics against the Opposition.
DMK MP Kanimozhi said in a post on X that Radhakrishnan was arrested while inspecting development works in his constituency. She called it an “utterly anarchic” act by a “tyrannical government”, asserting that the DMK will never bow down to such oppressive tactics.
