Police arrested Anitha R. Radhakrishnan, a former minister and MLA of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), in Chennai on Friday [1].

The arrest marks a significant escalation in the political conflict between the DMK and the administration of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. It highlights the increasing legal pressure on opposition figures who use derogatory language against the state's top leadership.

Radhakrishnan was taken into custody on July 3, 2026 [1], following the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) regarding remarks deemed defamatory toward the chief minister. The legal proceedings intensified after the Madras High Court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail, clearing the way for his detention [2], [3].

Reports indicate the remarks in question targeted the demeanor of Chief Minister Vijay during a session of the legislative assembly [6]. The arrest has sparked a political row in Tamil Nadu, with the DMK saying the move is an authoritarian action by the current government [4].

Radhakrishnan, who has previously served as a minister, is now facing charges related to the nature of his public statements. The police action took place in Chennai, where the legal battle over the bail plea had reached a conclusion before the arrest was executed [2], [4].

Supporters of the former minister have protested the arrest, while the state government said that the legal process is being followed to address defamatory speech. The confrontation between the DMK and the Chief Minister's party continues to sharpen as both sides vie for influence in the state's political landscape [4], [5].

“The arrest has sparked a political row in Tamil Nadu”

This arrest signals a shift toward a more aggressive legal approach by the C. Joseph Vijay administration in managing political dissent. By pursuing defamation charges and successfully blocking anticipatory bail for a high-profile DMK leader, the government is establishing a precedent that public criticism of the chief minister's conduct—particularly during assembly sessions—may result in criminal liability.