The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed Tamil Nadu Police to grant Assembly Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin station bail on the same day, just hours after he was arrested over a controversial remark that many interpreted as being aimed at actor Trisha.
The court's direction came shortly after his arrest in connection with comments made during a speech attacking Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay over the Cauvery water dispute.
The remark has been widely viewed as a sexual innuendo and perceived as referring to actor Trisha and her friendship with Vijay. It has sparked criticism from political parties across Tamil Nadu.
Soon after police reached Udhayanidhi's residence in Neelankarai, his legal team moved an anticipatory bail petition.
During the hearing, Tamil Nadu Advocate General Vijay Narayan informed the Madras High Court that Udhayanidhi had been arrested by Thanjavur Police and taken to Thanjavur. He added that the police had no intention of seeking judicial custody and only wanted to question him before releasing him on station bail.
The state told the court that the police only intended to question Udhayanidhi and did not plan to seek his remand.
Earlier in the day, his arrest triggered protests by DMK workers across Tamil Nadu, with party cadres staging flash demonstrations and road blockades condemning the police action. DMK president MK Stalin also chaired a meeting at the party headquarters to discuss the party's next steps ahead of the Assembly session beginning on August 5.
Udhayanidhi was booked under multiple legal provisions, including charges related to using obscene language, insulting the modesty of a woman, promoting enmity, provoking riots, and criminal intimidation.
Before being taken away by police, Udhayanidhi told reporters that the court would decide the matter. He questioned why the controversy had arisen when, according to him, he had not mentioned anyone other than the Chief Minister during his speech, and reiterated that the court would determine the outcome.
Meanwhile, TVK intensified its protest over the alleged remark by filing complaints with local police as well as the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Tuesday.
S Bairavi, TVK's Central District Women's Wing Organiser for Thanjavur, lodged a complaint at the Thanjavur East Police Station. She alleged that when the crowd shouted "Trisha, Trisha" during Udhayanidhi's August 3 speech on the Cauvery issue, he responded with an obscene double-meaning comment.
The complaint further alleged that Udhayanidhi and DMK IT wing functionaries deliberately insulted women, caused mental distress to the actor and women in general, and intentionally circulated a 2-minute-39-second video of the incident on X to provoke public unrest.
Separately, TVK national spokesperson Pazha Selvakumar filed a complaint with the NCW in New Delhi, urging the Commission to issue a notice seeking an explanation from Udhayanidhi and demand an unconditional public apology.
As the controversy deepened, DMK workers continued protesting across Tamil Nadu against the arrest, while leaders from other parties, including DMDK chief Premalatha Vijayakant and AIADMK Deputy General Secretary KP Munusamy, criticised the government's action. The case against Udhayanidhi now includes nine legal sections, and the matter is set to proceed in court even as political protests and legal complaints continue.
