The Madras High Court has instructed the Tamil Nadu Police to release Udhayanidhi Stalin, a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Leader of the Opposition, after he was questioned regarding a case linked to alleged remarks involving actress Trisha. The court ruled that no judicial remand was necessary following the questioning, indicating that Udhayanidhi is to cooperate with the ongoing investigation as required by authorities.

The proceedings came after Udhayanidhi’s anticipatory bail plea was heard in court, during which Tamil Nadu’s Advocate General, Vijay Narayan, informed the judges that the police did not plan to request his judicial remand. The Advocate General stated that Udhayanidhi had already been detained and would soon be released on station bail.

“He has already been arrested but will be let off after questioning. We do not intend to remand Udhayanidhi Stalin. He will be released on station bail after inquiry,” Vijay Narayan conveyed to the court, emphasising that the arrest had been made “in the interest of women.” This remark underlined the police’s rationale for the action taken against the DMK leader.

Details of the Arrest and Charges

Earlier that day, Udhayanidhi Stalin was taken into custody by the Thanjavur (East) Police from his residence in Neelankarai, Chennai. He was subsequently transported to Thanjavur for questioning related to an FIR registered after a public address he made during a protest related to the Cauvery water issue. His arrest has brought attention to various legal provisions under which he was booked.

Udhayanidhi faced charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 61, 79, 192, 196, 296(b), 351(2) and 352, along with Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. These charges have raised questions regarding the implications of his statements during the protest meeting.

Following his detention, Udhayanidhi spoke to the media, denying that he made any inappropriate remarks. He asserted that a “fake narrative” was being perpetuated through edited clips of his speech. “They have propagated fake news by using ‘Cut, Copy, Paste’ to claim I said something I never said. I am not the kind of person to be intimidated by all this. I will face it legally,” he remarked, labelling the actions taken by the police as a “comedy.”

Controversy Surrounding His Remarks

The incident escalated following Udhayanidhi’s comments during the Cauvery protest, where he was interrupted by members of the audience chanting “Trisha, Trisha.” Allegedly, he responded, “Whether the water reaches anywhere else or not, it should reach there,” a statement he later clarified to mean that he was referring to the availability of Cauvery water.

The women’s wing of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) lodged a formal complaint with the Thanjavur Police, asserting that Udhayanidhi’s comments constituted a double entendre targeting the actress Trisha. However, the DMK has stood firm in its position that Udhayanidhi’s statements were taken out of context and aimed at critiquing the government’s actions rather than targeting any individual personally.

This situation remains sensitive, with various stakeholders observing the unfolding developments as the police investigation continues, and the political ramifications of Udhayanidhi’s remarks are scrutinised.

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