Madras High Court denies advance bail to Anitha R. Radhakrishnan for his objectionable remarks against CM Vijay

Published 3 July 2026 · local

The Madras High Court on Friday (July 3, 2026) refused to grant anticipatory bail to former Minister and sitting Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Member of the

The Madras High Court on Friday (July 3, 2026) refused to grant anticipatory bail to former Minister and sitting Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Member of the Legislative Assembly Anitha R. Radhakrishnan, representing Tiruchendur constituency in a case booked by Authoor police in Thoothukudi district for having made objectionable remarks against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan dismissed the advance bail plea after reading the transcript of the speech, produced by the prosecution, and expressing displeasure over the remarks. The judge asked how could a former Minister and a sitting MLA use such disparaging language against an elected Chief Minister. “He is not a layman, should he not give respect to the post of the Chief Minister?” the judge asked.

The petitioner’s counsel contended that, even if the speech had been disparaging, it would not attract the offences under which the police had registerd the First Information Report (FIR). The petitioner had been booked for attempting to create enmity between different groups through his speech though the remarks made by him do not prima facie disclose any such intent, the counsel said. On the other hand, a government counsel told the court the petitioner had made highly objectionable and unacceptable statements against the Chief Minister and his remarks might have snowballed into a clash between the DMK and the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam cadres if the police had not promptly registered the FIR immediately after the public event organised by the DMK.

The counsel also said a seven-time MLA was not expected to speak in such a manner against the Chief Minister. After hearing both sides, the judge passed a detailed order holding he did not find any reason to grant the relief of advance bail to the petitioner. The advance bail plea was filed in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court and transferred to the principal seat in Chennai. In his petition, Mr. Radhakrishnan apprehended arrest in the case booked under Sections 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 353(2) (making statements with intent to create enmity, hatred or ill will between different groups) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The Tiruchendur legislator said, he had been voicing his concerns related to various public issues since he belonged to the primary opposition party in the State.

He had addressed the public meeting organised by his party on June 20, 2026 and spoke about the resentment among the people with respect to the actions of the ruling party (TVK) and its president. “Being a veteran politician and sitting MLA, the petitioner only addressed about the welfare of the State,” but a police complaint was lodged with political motive, the petitioner claimed. Stating he was willing to abide by any condition imposed by the court and also furnish substantial sureties, the petitioner urged the court to grant him advance bail in the event of his arrest.