Tiruchendur DMK MLA and former Fisheries Minister Anitha R. Radhakrishnan was arrested at Authoor in Thoothukudi district on Friday (July 3, 2026) for allegedly making remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay during a public meeting held on June 20.
The arrest came shortly after the Madras High Court dismissed an anticipatory bail plea filed by Mr. Radhakrishnan in a case registered by the Authoor police in Thoothukudi district over his remarks against the Chief Minister.
Following the arrest, Mr. Radhakrishnan was taken to Thoothukudi District Superintendent of Police office for further investigation.
DMK advocates and cadre who gathered outside the office of the Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police following the arrest of Tiruchendur DMK MLA and former Fisheries Minister Anitha R. Radhakrishnan, were arrested on July 3, 2026 | Photo Credit: N. Rajesh
Stalin, Kanimozhi condemn arrest
DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday condemned the arrest of Mr. Radhakrishnan, and said: “What was the urgent need to hastily arrest someone who was carrying out public work and conducting inspections in his constituency? The Chief Minister is running a police raj in a cinema-action style.”
He questioned why the government, which has not taken action so far on the complaint filed by a “gang rape survivor” against the Srivaikuntam TVK MLA, and failed to show the same urgency in that case.
Police arrest Tiruchendur MLA and former Fisheries Minister Anitha Radhakrishnan on July 3, 2026 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Accusing the government of failing to prevent murders, robberies, and sexual offences against women across Tamil Nadu, Mr. Stalin asked: “If arrests are to be made in defamation cases, how many of today’s ministers would have to be arrested for the remarks they make?”
DMK Member of Parliament (MP) Kanimozhi also expressed her condemnation, stating, “The DMK will never bow down to such oppression.”
