Udhayanidhi Stalin arrested; Court directs immediate release of LoP on station bail, huge protest in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin has been arrested for making vulgar remarks against actress Trisha. The court earlier prevented arrest till 12 noon after Udhayanidhi filed a plea for anticipatory bail in the case. It is reported that the arrest was registered after the time limit granted by the court expired. Udhayanidhi has been arrested under nine sections, including non-bailable sections.

Just before the court adjourned for lunch, the DMK counsel mentioned the matter, but by that time Udhayanidhi was arrested. Therefore, the Advocate General informed the court that the anticipatory bail plea would not stand. With this, the government officially admitted in the court that the arrest had been registered. When the case was considered, the Tamil Nadu AG said there was no need to remand the leader of the opposition. The government told the court that they are willing to allow station bail to Udhayanidhi, while the court said that the DMK leader should be freed from custody by tonight. The court also asked Udhayanidhi to cooperate with the investigation in the case.

The police registered a case on the complaint filed by TVK regarding the remark. Udhayanidhi was taken into custody from his residence in Neelankarai.

Meanwhile, high drama ensued after DMK workers blocked the police vehicle carrying Stalin and engaged in push and shove with the officials. In parliament, the DMK MPs walked straight to the well of the house and protested the arrest.

Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin made a double-edged remark targeting Trisha while criticising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph C. Vijay on the Cauvery water dispute issue. Udhayanidhi's remarks were made at a protest event organised in Thanjavur on August 3 on the Cauvery water dispute.

Udhayanidhi alleged that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was focusing on other matters instead of addressing the basic needs of the people. The government is engaging in political vendettas rather than addressing the people's problems. Udhayanidhi said that the Chief Minister's focus was on filing false cases against DMK workers.

Later, the DMK workers below the stage shouted Trisha's name. Udhayanidhi smirked at this and later used double entendre. Udhayanidhi immediately corrected himself, saying that he meant the Cauvery river and not the actress. However, the damage was done, and a huge uproar spread over the state in no time.