Published Aug 04, 2026 | 3:59 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 04, 2026 | 4:02 PM
The Madras High Court
Synopsis: The Madras HC on Tuesday directed the Thanjavur police to grant DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin station bail after he was arrested for allegedly making derogatory remarks against a female actor. The order came as a major embarrassment for the TVK government, a day after another DMK leader secured bail in a case related to making allegedly offensive remarks against CM Joseph Vijay.
The Madras High Court on Tuesday, 4 August, ordered Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin to be released on station bail after the court was informed by the Tamil Nadu government that the DMK leader was arrested and taken to Thanjavur for questioning.
The HC had taken up the case for urgent hearing at 12 pm on Tuesday, shortly after the DMK leader was detained from his residence at Neelankari in Chennai, after a tense face-off between the Thanjavur police and party workers.
Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan directed the police to release Udhayanidhi on the same day after completing the investigation. The court also directed Udhayanidhi to extend full cooperation to the police during the inquiry.
Appearing before the court, the Advocate General Vijay Narayan said Udhayanidhi would be questioned by the police and released thereafter. He clarified that there was no intention to remand him to judicial custody and that he would be released on police bail after the inquiry.
Also Read: Udhayanidhi booked under law championed by grandfather Karunanidhi, strengthened by father MK Stalin
Earlier today, Udhayanidhi termed the police action a joke and accused the C. Joseph Vijay-led TVK government of spreading misinformation about him. He said he would face the legal proceedings through due process of law.
The case against Udhayanidhi stems from a comment he allegedly made during a party rally in Thanjavoor on Monday, 3 July, referring to a female actor.
The Madras HC’s intervention directing the police to grant station bail to Udhayanidhi, hours after his arrest, came as another embarrassment for the TVK government, just a day after DMK MLA GV Markandeyan was granted bail by the same court on Monday.
Markandeyan was arrested by the Thoothukudi District Crime Branch Police on July 20 for allegedly making derogatory remarks on Chief Minister Vijay during a public meeting at Kovilpatti. Markandeyan was lodged in the Palayankottai jail until he was granted bail on Monday by the HC, which directed the legislator to give an assurance in the Thoothukudi Sessions Court that he will not make such statements again.
Also Read: Off-colour remark against actor: Thanjavur police detain Udhayanidhi Stalin
(Compiled by Fayisa CA)
