His decision to organise a separate event, instead of joining the celebrations at MGR Maaligai, has fuelled speculation about growing discontent within the Opposition party.

At the headquarters, Palaniswami launched the celebrations marking the AIADMK's entry into its 55th year, urging cadres to remain united and determined to overcome the party's political challenges. He called for concerted efforts to defeat what he termed "anti-democratic forces" and the "anti-people regime" through democratic means, asserting that no one could damage the party and expressing confidence that it would return to power in the State.

However, Velumani held a separate celebration in Tiruttani, where he garlanded a statue of party founder and former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran (MGR) and distributed sweets. Thangamani, too, marked the occasion separately by garlanding an MGR statue at Pallipalayam.

Sources said key functionaries and supporters of the dissident faction had been holding consultations at Velumani's residence over the past three days to discuss the reasons behind the party's successive electoral defeats.

In Villupuram, C Ve Shanmugam urged the leadership to hold talks to ascertain the reasons for the electoral defeats and work out a strategy to return to power. "My only wish is that the AIADMK should regain strength to form Amma's rule again. I will fully cooperate with such initiatives, and I have no personal agenda. It is enough if the AIADMK is united and emerges as a strong political force," Shanmugam told reporters.

Indicating that the core cadres were still with the AIADMK and that many leaders also stood with the former Chief Minister, the party IT Wing put out posts hailing Palaniswami as a "phenomenon" who is carrying forward the AIADMK legacy in its 55th year of existence.

"This is not a group of losers who get upset after seeing defeat. This is a team of warriors who stand firm and win head-on, no matter how many odds are flung at them! Our party, full of valiant political workers, following the path of the revolutionary leaders MGR and Amma, cannot be shaken by any force!" the party's IT Wing said.

Meanwhile, party whip and Palaniswami supporter Agri Krishnamurthy rejected rebels' demand to reinduct expelled leaders, saying O Panneerselvam contested and won on the rival DMK's Rising Sun symbol. He also pointed out that TTV Dhinakaran and VK Sasikala are at present running their own parties.

Against this backdrop, the separate foundation day events have assumed significance beyond the customary celebrations. At a time when Palaniswami has called for unity, two senior leaders' decision to organise parallel programmes has underscored the continuing challenge facing the AIADMK leadership in containing internal dissent.

The handbook’s full-year estimates put the share of young people in the NEET category at 24.5%. Though this has fallen from 34% in 2017–18, the gender divide remains stark.

The share among young women has declined from 49% to 40% over the same period, while the figure for young men stands at 10%. NEET refers to young people who are not working, studying or receiving training. The category does not necessarily mean they are unemployed or unwilling to work; it can also include those engaged in unpaid domestic or care work who are not in education or training.

The figures come despite Tamil Nadu having the country’s highest share of young graduates. About 52% of people aged 22–29 in the State hold a degree, according to the handbook. The report also notes that three-quarters of young men and women aged 15–21 are in education, raising questions about the transition from education to employment, particularly for young women.

Ruchi Gupta, executive director, Future of India Foundation, said during the launch discussion that young people needed access to jobs, a path to better pay and career progression. “Without opportunities to move ahead,” she argued, “workers may struggle to see a future in the jobs available to them.”

The handbook records an increase in women’s employment, but much of the growth has been in less secure forms of work. Among women aged 15 and above, the share in work rose by 14 percentage points to 46% between 2017–18 and 2025. Nearly 60% of that increase came from own-account, casual or unpaid family work.

The report also highlights a wage gap. Women in salaried jobs earn 73 paise for every rupee earned by men, while self-employed women earn 39 paise and women in casual work earn 49 paise.

The handbook assesses youth opportunities across all 38 districts of Tamil Nadu by bringing together nearly 180 indicators from 27 government databases, covering employment, education, skilling, economic opportunity, and participation and agency.

Former Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin said, “Deva was a pure hearted person who knew nothing of jealousy, deceit or scheming. Earning a distinct identity for himself, so much so that Gaana became synonymous with Deva.”

Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin said, “Deva excelled in several fields, not just as a music composer but also as a singer and lyricist. Deva, will forever be remembered in people’s hearts for his melodious music.”

AIADMK general secretary and former CM Edappadi K Palaniswami said, “Coming from a humble background, Deva reflected the lives and experiences of ordinary people through his music. He left his distinctive mark across genres, from mass numbers and melodies to devotional songs.”

TNCC president Manickam Tagore said, “A legendary music composer who captivated the 1990s generation with his energetic Gaana numbers and heart touching melodies, Deva had a unique gift for transforming the emotions and experiences of ordinary people into film music.”

CPM and CPI state secretaries P Shanmugam and M Veerapandian also condoled the demise of Deva.

VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan said Deva had carved a unique niche for himself in Tamil cinema and taken Gaana music to the international stage.

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss said, “Deva composed music for many iconic songs celebrated by the fans of Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith and Chief Minister Vijay, among other leading actors. He was also instrumental in introducing Gaana music, a genre rooted in the lives of ordinary people, to Tamil cinema.”

Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief coordinator Seeman noted that Deva’s distinctive “Gaana songs are celebrated as ‘Deva Gaanam’, along with his energetic rhythms, melodious tunes and songs deeply rooted in the cultural ethos of the soil”.

Speaking to reporters in Madurai, he said the decision on the GO on reservation for Muslims who had converted from other religions was taken after consulting all Muslim political parties.

Asked about the arrest of a TVK functionary in a methamphetamine case, he said the circulation of the drug had increased during the DMK government’s five-year rule.

His remarks came after methamphetamine worth Rs 270 crore was seized from the house of N Boopalan, a functionary of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Nagai. He was later suspended from the party.

“Had this happened under the DMK regime, they would have dismissed the issue by claiming that it was not methamphetamine but kolam powder,” he alleged. He also accused the previous DMK government of covering up a drug seizure in Ramanathapuram by claiming that the seized substance was fertiliser.

Turning to the AIADMK, Nirmalkumar alleged that the party had reached a dire state under the leadership of Edappadi K Palaniswami, leaving its members uncertain about their next course of action.

He further accused Palaniswami of attempting to mortgage AIADMK properties to the DMK.

The minister also criticised Palaniswami for refusing to meet Vijay in his capacity as Chief Minister, claiming that not even a brick at the AIADMK headquarters would accept his decision.

According to police, the accused, Mohamed Sajith, son of Mohamed Abros, worked as a tailor at the private mill in Vagarai village.

The police had received reliable information that cannabis chocolates were being delivered by courier to one of the migrant workers staying at the mill, where several young men from other states are employed.

Acting on the tip-off, Superintendent of Police S Jayakumar formed a special team led by Kallimandayam Inspector Maniyan, and Sub-Inspector Thirumalaisamy conducted a search in the private mill and seized the chocolate packets from Sajith.

The police inquiry revealed that he had ordered the chocolates online from a website called “ITS Herb”. The police registered a case against him and remanded him in judicial custody.

The SP Jayakumar warned that stringent action would be taken against those involved in the illegal sale, smuggling and consumption of narcotics in the district. He urged the public to report information on drug-related activities through the “Drug Free Tamilnadu” website.

On Saturday, Palaniswami launched the celebrations marking the party's 55th anniversary. Addressing party workers, he urged cadres to work unitedly and with determination to overcome the political challenges facing the party. The former Chief Minister asserted that no one could damage the party and expressed confidence that the AIADMK would return to power in the State.

However, Velumani and Thangamani held separate celebrations in their respective hometowns, drawing attention to the simmering differences between the senior leaders and Palaniswami.

Velumani held a separate event in Tiruttani, where he garlanded a statue of former Chief Minister and party founder MG Ramachandran and distributed sweets. Following suit, Thangamani separately garlanded an MGR statue at Pallipalayam.

The origin of the rift in the party can be traced to the pre-Assembly election time when they had favoured an alliance with the TVK, but Palaniswami rejected the proposal, reportedly causing frustration among sections of the party leadership.

After the election, 25 AIADMK MLAs led by C Ve Shanmugam and Velumani defied the party whip and supported the TVK government during its floor test in the Assembly. Palaniswami subsequently removed the 25 MLAs from their party posts. However, within a few days, Velumani and some other senior leaders were reinstated to their headquarters positions. However, Velumani did not assume his post and urged Palaniswami to restore his district secretary post.

Now, the party’s latest defeat in the bypolls have reportedly renewed dissent within the party, with disgruntled leaders questioning Palaniswami's leadership.

Sources said key functionaries and supporters of the dissident faction had been holding consultations at Velumani's residence over the past three days to discuss the party's successive electoral defeats. The dissidents have repeatedly alleged that Palaniswami's unilateral decisions were responsible for the setbacks.

In a statement, he said Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had been speaking about eradicating drugs, while functionaries of his party were hoarding the drugs.

Taking a dig at the Chief Minister, Stalin said that instead of conducting an enumeration of communists through tahsildars, Vijay should conduct a district-wise enumeration of drug peddlers within his own party.

"Was the TVK leader preaching to the public about drug eradication while the drug mafia is operating within his own party? A huge quantity of drugs has been seized in a single search. The entire network must be exposed, and the culprits brought to justice," Stalin said.

He further alleged that the ruling party had turned from a bad party into a Breaking Bad party within five months of coming to power.

A massive drug seizure has sparked a political controversy after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence arrested TVK district functionary N Boopalan and his associate following the recovery of 135 kilograms of methamphetamine from the associate's residence. TVK subsequently expelled Boopalan from all party positions.

The DCWSS has called for applications for eight posts to operate the 1098 Child Helpline, specifically for case workers. The helpline operates round the clock, with more than ten staff currently attending calls at the department's Chennai office. Officials have said the existing workforce is insufficient, while 304 staff are deployed at the district level to handle field interventions.

The appointment has been called for the collector office, Egmore railway station, Koyambedu and Madhavaram bus stands. The helpline administrator will oversee the smooth functioning of the service and ensure prompt responses to calls. Call operators will attend incoming calls and make initial referrals.

Candidates can apply through https://dsdcpimms.tn.gov.in or email their applications to chlrecruitment.dcwss@gmail.com.

While the state-level recruitment aims to address staff shortages in handling helpline calls, the DCPU in Nagapattinam in particular has announced temporary appointments under its newly created Youth Justice Group.

It has announced eight vacancies for CHL 1098 case workers. Applicants must have passed Class 12 from a recognised board and possess good communication skills. Preference may be given to candidates with emergency helpline experience. The monthly salary is Rs 17,640, and work will be on a shift basis.

The district has also announced one Junior Assistant and one Office Assistant post under the Youth Justice Group on a temporary, one-year contract basis. Eligible candidates below 42 years can download application forms and instructions from nagapattinam.nic.in.

Speaking to reporters in Tiruchy, Thirumavalavan said the State government must take steps to control the rising prices of essential commodities, which disproportionately affect the poor and marginalised sections. He held both the State and Union governments responsible for tackling inflation, pointing to fuel prices as a key factor.

While attributing the rise in commodity prices partly to fluctuations in global fuel prices, he said higher prices for essentials, particularly rice, placed an additional burden on ordinary people. Elected governments had a responsibility to contain price rises in the public interest, he said.

On delimitation, the VCK chief said the DMK had been strongly opposing the exercise in Parliament and urged its MPs to maintain their stance. Any increase or reduction in parliamentary representation in the name of delimitation would not be good for democracy, he said, adding that the BJP was attempting to secure members' approval for the exercise.

Thirumavalavan also called on the State government to crack down on drug trafficking, particularly methamphetamine smuggling, and take stringent action against those involved, irrespective of their political affiliations.

He also expressed grief over the death of music director Deva, recalling his iconic introduction music for Superstar Rajinikanth, which fans continue to celebrate.

The government said it will rectify the difference between the interim payout and the final pension amount in the future.

In a recent circular issued by Finance Secretary (Expenditure) N Venkatesh to the Director of Treasuries and Accounts, the Finance Department stated that retired government employees with more than 10 years but less than 18 years of qualifying service would be sanctioned an interim monthly payout of Rs 10,000 at a flat rate, excluding applicable dearness relief.

Venkatesh had stated that if pensioners were credited with a payout equivalent to 30 per cent despite not having completed 18 years of qualifying service, the excess amount would be recovered from their bank accounts in 10 equal instalments.

The announcement triggered protests among government employees and teachers, prompting the government to withhold the Finance Secretary's order.

The TVK-led government has decided to continue the TAPS introduced during the previous DMK regime and issued detailed guidelines for interim pension payments to eligible government employees retiring on or after January 1, 2026.

A Division Bench of Justices CV Karthikeyan and R Sakthivel passed the interim order in a petition filed by A Sampathkumar seeking protection of the properties covered by Document No. 1646 of 1887.

The court observed that the deed showed the absolute dedication of the lands mentioned in its schedule to the temple. The petitioner has sought comprehensive identification and verification of the properties, alleging that some of the lands may have been alienated or otherwise dealt with contrary to the terms of the endowment.

He has also sought directions to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department and temple authorities to verify the properties against the original deed and relevant revenue and registration records, and to initiate appropriate legal action if unauthorised transactions are established.

The interim injunction restraining the Sub-Registrars of Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli Joint III, Musiri and Kulithalai from registering documents relating to the scheduled properties will remain in force until November 5, 2026, when the case is to be heard again.

The Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and smaller parties, including actor Karunas-led Mukkulathor Pulipadai and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, have recently submitted their views to the Commission.

The CPM, CPI and IUML have met the Commission more than twice and submitted their representations.

"We have sent invitations to all recognised political parties, including the DMK, AIADMK, PMK and TVK. We are awaiting their views and responses on honour killings. Apart from political parties, a large number of organisations and human rights groups have submitted their opinions and representations to the Commission," said KN Basha, chairman of the Commission.

The bigger parties shying away from providing their inputs has raised questions about whether they are more worried about losing OBC votes, as oppressed Dalits are at the receiving end in most of the murder cases.

During the Assembly session, Minister for Social Justice Vanni Arasu said that the government would enact a separate law to prevent honour killings once the Commission submits its report.

In addition to collecting opinions and suggestions from various stakeholders, the Commission has also been conducting awareness programmes on the legal aspects of preventing honour killings, particularly among college students.

"The entire panel has visited various colleges and delivered lectures on the Commission's work and the legal aspects of honour killings. We have gathered fresh ideas from Gen Z students on measures to prevent such killings," Justice Basha said.

The State government under the then Chief Minister MK Stalin constituted the Commission in November 2025 to recommend measures to prevent honour killings in the State, after a spate of horrific caste-based killings of couples falling in love beyond their own community. It is headed by retired High Court judge Justice K N Basha, with retired IAS officer V Palanikumar and retired IPS officer S Ramanathan as members.

The Commission has been receiving suggestions and views from the public, legal experts, social activists, non-governmental organisations, political parties, academicians and other stakeholders.

Speaking at a welfare programme organised under the 'Kaaval Kudumbam' scheme at the Avadi Police Commissionerate, the DGP said the force would be deployed wherever required to assist the public during flooding, tree falls and power-related incidents. He added that meetings have been held with revenue, fire, municipal and electricity departments to ensure swift response. He also assured that long-pending feeding allowance dues of police personnel were being examined and would be settled.

The event also focused on family welfare. Vanitha Aggarwal, president of Kaaval Kudumbam, inaugurated a daycare centre set up at the SM Nagar police quarters in Avadi. The centre will look after children of police personnel during duty hours, helping women personnel in particular.

Later, the DGP inaugurated a comprehensive medical camp organised in association with Apollo Hospitals at the SM Nagar Police Convention Centre. Around 500 police personnel and family members underwent general health check-ups, cardiac, pulmonary, vascular screening and eye examinations.

Avadi Police Commissioner T Senthilkumar, deputy commissioners and senior officers participated in the programme.

The police identified the deceased as Vijay (22), a resident of Manja Pettai in Pudukkottai and his friend Sudarsan (19). Both Vijay and Sudarsan were studying in a college in Pudukkottai, according to the police.

They both were proceeding to Sengipatti in Thanjavur by a two-wheeler when the accident occurred on Saturday. Vijay was riding the bike, and Sudarsan was riding pillion. According to the police, Vijay and Sudarsan were travelling to Sengipatti to contest in a Kabaddi tournament.

When the duo was nearing Arputhapuram on the Thanjavur-Pudukkottai National Highway, Vijay, who was riding the bike, lost control of the vehicle due to overspeeding and hit a stationary lorry alongside the stretch of the Thanjavur-Pudukkottai National Highway. In the impact, both Vijay and Sudarsan were crushed to death on the spot.

Upon receiving the information, Vallam police rushed to the spot and inspected it. After the inspection, they retrieved the bodies and sent them to the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination. The Vallam police have registered a case, and further investigations are under way.

The aspirant, R Dinesh, faced trial in a case arising from the 2017 Jallikattu agitation, the state’s bull-taming sport. A Division Bench of Justices CV Karthikeyan and R Sakthivel, who heard the case, directed the authorities to comply with the single judge’s order and appoint him within 12 weeks.

As per the proceedings, the recruitment authorities had rejected Dinesh's candidature under GO Ms No. 1410, which says a person acquitted on the benefit of doubt, or because the complainant turned hostile, shall be treated as having been involved in a criminal case for recruitment purposes.

The Bench, however, held that Dinesh qualified as 'honourably acquitted', noting that the expression appears neither in the Code of Criminal Procedure nor in the Indian Penal Code, but has evolved through judicial pronouncements.

It referred to a Supreme Court judgment stating that when the accused is acquitted after full consideration of the prosecution case, and the prosecution miserably fails to prove the charges leveled against the accused, it can be said that the accused was 'honourably acquitted'.

The Sessions Court had acquitted Dinesh and others of charges of unlawfully assembling during the agitation, pelting stones at police personnel causing simple injuries and damaging vehicles in 2017, it noted. The acquittal was not due to any lapse by the prosecution, a compromise or a technicality, but purely due to lack of evidence, the judges observed.

After being informed that the prosecution had examined 24 witnesses, the High Court went through the depositions available on the e-Courts website and found that none of the witnesses identified any of the accused, including the writ petitioners.

Further pointing out that the Sessions Court had also relied on a February 2021 Government Order recording a policy decision to withdraw 308 cases registered during the 2017 Jallikattu protests, the Bench said it applies to Dinesh’s case as well, as the offences alleged against him were under the Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992.

The Bench further noted that Dinesh had disclosed the criminal case in his recruitment application dated August 1, 2022, about four months after his acquittal on April 19, 2022. Hence, the writ petitioner's acquittal qualifies as an 'honourable acquittal' in the context of service jurisprudence.

The allegations were made in a resolution adopted at a meeting of DMK MPs chaired by party president MK Stalin on Saturday.

Accusing the Congress of adopting a dual stand, the DMK alleged that the party's position on the SIR varied from State to State, despite what it described as errors in the revision exercise across the country.

The resolution alleged that the Congress remained a mute spectator when the agitation began and was later compelled to support the protests because it had no other option.

"The party has a character of appropriating the hard work of others and backstabbing them after the journey is over," the resolution said, criticising the Congress.

The DMK also described the Congress's protest against the SIR as a drama and questioned why the national party had not raised the issue in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

In proceedings issued by the Director of School Education, the department has instructed school heads to allocate one period every month for quiz club activities and appoint a teacher in charge for every section of Classes 6 to 9.

The initiative aims to move beyond conventional question-and-answer competitions and encourage students to ask questions, explore information, connect ideas, and develop analytical thinking.

The department plans to provide standardised learning resources for the quiz club through the Educational Management Information System (EMIS) portal to ensure students across schools have equal opportunities to learn and practise. The teacher in charge of each class must download these resources from the school's EMIS portal and use them during the designated quiz period.

The learning materials will introduce students to different question formats, quiz procedures and competition rounds. According to the department, this will help students become familiar with the formats and rounds used in state-level quiz competitions.

The initiative is intended to make quizzing an inclusive learning activity rather than an exercise limited to a small group of students who participate in competitions. The department has stressed that every student in Classes 6 to 9 should be encouraged to participate, seek information independently, and expand their knowledge.

The department has outlined several objectives for the 'Sol! Vel!' quiz club, including improving general knowledge, developing inquisitive minds, strengthening observation and comprehension skills, and enhancing memory and quick thinking.

The department has stressed that the quiz club should function not merely as a training centre for competitions but as a learning platform that nurtures a community of students who question, think, research, learn and share knowledge. The intended outcome is to encourage students to replace the response "I do not know" with the attitude "I will find out."

A TASMAC board meeting was held on Saturday to discuss sales strategies for the Deepavali season. During the meeting, officials discussed introducing new liquor products, including beer brands sourced from other states.

Four new beer varieties proposed for TASMAC

The four proposed beer varieties are Bira, Heineken Silver, Simba Roar and Lone Wolf. According to the Daily Thanthi report, Heineken Silver is to be sourced from Karnataka, while Simba Roar and Lone Wolf are to be procured from Chhattisgarh.

The starting price of the new varieties is expected to be at least Rs 250. The beers are proposed to be made available at Elite liquor outlets, which stock a range of premium alcoholic beverages.

Officials said the procurement process would begin once the state government grants the necessary permission. The proposed launch is being planned ahead of Deepavali, though availability will depend on the completion of the approval process.

Over 800 liquor products sold across Tamil Nadu

TASMAC retail outlets and Elite shops across Tamil Nadu sell more than 800 different liquor products, including brandy, whisky, rum, gin, vodka and beer. These products are manufactured at local distilleries or procured from other states.

According to the report, 17 varieties of beer are currently available in the category cited, including Kingfisher British Empire, SNJ 10000, Spiel Triple Strong, Black Pearl, Tuborg, Carlsberg, Budweiser, Haywards 5000, Godfather, Boom, Max 11000, Zingaro, Kalyani Black Label, Bullet, Woodpecker and Black Buster.

Beer varieties expected to increase to 25

TASMAC currently procures 21 varieties of beer along with seven other categories of alcoholic beverages, according to the report. With the proposed addition of four new beer varieties, the number of beer varieties in this procurement category is expected to rise to 25.

The introduction of the new products remains subject to government approval. The timing of their availability at Elite outlets will depend on when the required permissions are granted and procurement arrangements are completed.

Industrialist Veeramani (84) was arrested and incarcerated by the police over sexual abuse allegations involving minor girls.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is currently probing the complaints lodged against him.

According to police, so far, 10 young girls have filed complaints against Veeramani, leading to seven cases being registered.

He has been arrested in four of these cases under the stringent Goondas Act.

After a 3-day police custody, court permission was granted to interrogate Veeramani by the police for an additional two days.

Accordingly, a SIT interrogated Veeramani inside the prison facility from morning until evening on Friday and recorded his official statement.

Police are expected to continue interrogating him inside the prison on Saturday as well.

In light of his advanced age, the court permitted this custodial inquiry to be conducted directly within prison premises.

The high-spirited celebrations at the Puratchi Thalaivar MGR Maaligai in Royapettah, the party's state headquarters here, saw the participation of hundreds of cadres and several senior leaders, including K P Munusamy, C Ponnaiyan, M Thambidurai, B Valarmathi, joining Palaniswami in paying floral tributes to the statues of late Chief Minister and founder M G Ramachandran and late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, to commemorate the Dravidian major's entry into its 55th year.

Scores of party leaders and cadres had gathered at the party headquarters early in the morning to celebrate the party's Foundation Day, and accorded a warm reception to Palaniswami upon his arrival. The AIADMK chief distributed sweets to the party members after unfurling the party flag.

However, a heavy political shadow hung over the high-spirited event, as the disgruntled leaders like S P Velumani, C Ve Shanmugam, P Thangamani, and Natham Viswanathan, and their loyalists completely skipped the headquarters celebrations under Palaniswami.

These senior leaders were among the rebel legislators who voted in favour of the Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led TVK government during the floor test on May 13. They have been demanding a structural rehaul of the party following its electoral defeat in the April 2026 Assembly elections.

Later, speaking at the celebrations, Palaniswami said none can shake the AIADMK and regardless of the numerous challenges it faced, the party would rise like the proverbial phoenix and capture power in the state.

In Villupuram, C Ve Shanmugam urged the leadership to hold talks to ascertain reasons for defeat in the elections and work out a strategy to return to power.

"My only wish is that the AIADMK should regain strength to form Amma's rule again. I will fully cooperate with such initiatives and I have no personal agenda. It is enough if the AIADMK is united and emerges as a strong political force," Shanmugam told reporters.

"The 'Two leaves' should rule the state," he stressed.

Despite facing the party's disciplinary action, with Palaniswami removing them from key organisational roles in the AIADMK, Velumani and Shanmugam had been demanding that the leadership convene a meeting to discuss the reasons for the poll debacle.

In an attempt to rein in the rebels, the AIADMK chief stripped key posts of Velusamy-Shanmugam loyalists in the party.

Indicating that the core cadres were still with the AIADMK and many leaders too stood with the former Chief Minister, the party IT Wing put out posts hailing Palaniswami as a "phenomenon", who is carrying forward the AIADMK legacy in its 55th year of existence.

"This is not a group of losers who get upset after seeing defeat. This is a team of warriors who stand firm and win head-on, no matter how many odds are flung at them! Our party, full of valiant political workers, following the path of the revolutionary leaders MGR and Amma, cannot be shaken by any force!" the party's IT Wing said.

Founded in 1972 by the legendary actor and iconic leader MGR, the AIADMK completed 54 years of existence - a political journey defined by immense welfare legacies and major governance milestones. Its successive defeats in 2021 Assembly election at the hands of the DMK whose president M K Stalin became Chief Minister then, and the rout in 2026 Assembly election forfeiting its principal opposition status to the DMK and the sudden and spectacular elevation of TVK founder C Joseph Vijay as Chief Minister, led to setbacks in the AIADMK.

The mass exodus of its leaders and cadres to the ruling TVK, the AIADMK faced humiliation in the October 9 by-election in Madurantakam and Dharapuram SC reserved Assembly constituencies as its former legislators Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama romped home the winners after contesting on TVK's Whistle symbol.

The party crisis deepened further with Velumani while speaking on the internal rift in the party demanded the re-induction of expelled leaders, explicitly calling for the return of former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, V K Sasikala, and AMMK chief T T V Dhinakaran to revitalise the party after its recent string of electoral defeats.

He noted that a course correction is necessary to restore the party's strength. Party senior and Palaniswami's supporter Agri Krishnamurthy rejected the demand, saying Panneerselvam had contested and won on rival DMK's Rising Sun symbol.

As AIADMK entered into 55th year, Palaniswami urged party workers to strive unitedly with determination and overcome the new political challenges manifest before the party. The former Chief Minister stressed the need for unity and resolve among the party cadres, calling for concerted efforts to defeat the "anti-democratic forces", and "anti-people regime" through democratic means.

The party will submit a representation to President Droupadi Murmu, urging the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and the conduct of elections based on the electoral rolls prepared before the revision.

The decision was taken at a meeting of DMK MPs chaired by party president MK Stalin. A four-point resolution adopted at the meeting stressed that corrections to electoral rolls should safeguard people's voting rights and should not be used to deprive them of those rights.

"The credibility of EVMs has been questioned. The doubts have intensified because of differences between votes recorded in EVMs and those reflected in Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips. In view of this, the DMK and other opposition parties have emphasised that all VVPAT slips should be counted," the resolution stated.

The resolution also alleged that the Election Commission of India was functioning in a partisan manner and demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from office.

The DMK also reiterated its decision not to participate in agitations organised by the Congress, which it accused of betraying the alliance.

Energy and Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar said the exercises were conducted from September 28 to October 14 to ensure public safety and restore power supply swiftly in the event of cyclones, heavy rain and flooding.

Emergency response teams comprising officials and field workers from neighbouring distribution circles were formed to carry out restoration work during disasters. Each team had around 20 personnel, supported by vehicles, including lorries and jeeps.

The drills involved removing damaged electric poles and erecting replacements, restoring tilted poles safely, replacing snapped or damaged power lines and repairing damaged electrical infrastructure. The exercises also aimed to improve coordination among field personnel and expedite power restoration during emergencies.

The mock drills were conducted in Cuddalore, Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Chennai and Tiruvallur districts.

The exercises are expected to improve TNPDCL's preparedness to handle monsoon-related outages and infrastructure damage.

The minister urged the public to avoid approaching low-hanging or snapped power lines and electric poles. People who spot fallen wires should not touch them and must immediately inform TNPDCL. He also advised residents to follow electrical safety precautions during rain and flooding.

The Madurai Race Course Stadium hosts various sporting events, including state-level athletics competitions. Sportspersons from various disciplines, such as athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, table tennis and volleyball, train here. The stadium is also open to the general public in the morning and evening hours for exercise.

The police have registered an FIR under BNS sections 271 (unlawful or negligent act likely to spread infection of life-threatening diseases) and 123 (causing hurt by means of poison, intoxicating, or unwholesome drugs, or any other substance with the intent to commit an offence).

“The syringes appear to be old. At this stage, we cannot categorically say whether they involve banned narcotics or performance-enhancing drugs. We will send them to a laboratory to examine their residue and identify the substances used,” S Rajendran, Madurai City Police Commissioner said, adding that some bodybuilders use injectable formulations of beta blockers to lower their heart rate before training. Hence, only a laboratory analysis can reveal the details of the medicine or chemical substance in the syringes, he said.

The commissioner noted that further action will be taken based on those results and the evidence obtained during the investigation.

Meanwhile, a senior official at the stadium said CCTV surveillance doesn't cover the toilets. “We will install CCTVs in the area soon,” he said, adding that the toilets are open to all, and it is premature to suspect anyone in particular to have used the syringes to take performance-enhancing drugs.

Her husband remains in critical condition and is undergoing intensive treatment at a hospital in Chennai.

Mohan (55) and his wife Jayalakshmi (51) lived in Kammavarpalayam village in Manavalanagar, near Tiruvallur.

The couple had two sons, Ganesh and Vignesh.

Suicide of the sons

Their younger son, Ganesh, died by suicide last year after consuming poison following family-related issues.

The family suffered another tragedy just two days later, when their elder son, Vignesh, also died by suicide after consuming poison.

The consecutive deaths devastated the couple, who reportedly struggled to come to terms with the loss.

They remained deeply distressed by the deaths of their sons and continued to grieve over the tragedies.

A tragic decision

On the 14th, reportedly unable to bear the emotional distress any longer, Mohan and Jayalakshmi allegedly consumed pesticide at their home in Kammavarpalayam.

Neighbours found the couple unconscious and in a critical condition.

They rushed to their assistance and arranged for them to be taken to Tiruvallur Government Hospital for immediate medical attention.

Following initial treatment, the couple was shifted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai for specialised care, as their condition remained serious.

Police investigation begins

Jayalakshmi was admitted to the intensive care unit, but she died despite medical intervention.

Her husband, Mohan, continues to receive intensive treatment and remains in critical condition, according to the information available.

The incident has left residents of the village shocked, with the couple having suffered the loss of both their sons within a short span last year.

The Manavalanagar police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.

Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call --- Sneha, Chennai: 91-44-2464 0050, 91-44-2464 0060; Maithri, Cochin: +91 239 6272; Sumaitri, New Delhi: 2338 9090; Aasra, Mumbai: 9820466726; Fortis MentalHealth: 8376804102.

The arrested persons and the seized contraband were brought to the Nagapattinam Customs office by DRI officials, who questioned them through the night.

Reacting to the incident in a post on X, Stalin said a TVK functionary from Nagapattinam district, Boobalan, who was also the party’s election in-charge for the Keezhvelur Assembly constituency, had been arrested by the DRI.

“TVK is not just a Bad Party, but a Breaking Bad Party,” Stalin said, taking a swipe at the party led by actor-turned-politician Vijay.

He alleged that preliminary investigations had revealed that Boobalan had concealed 135 kg of methamphetamine, sarcastically suggesting that the functionary had mistaken the Chief Minister’s repeated speeches on drug eradication for lessons on concealing narcotics.

“He has been caught red-handed while at the peak of his career as a carrier,” Stalin said.

Questioning whether the TVK leadership had been preaching to others while allegedly harbouring a major drug network within its own ranks, Stalin urged the authorities to identify and dismantle the entire network.

“If such a huge quantity of drugs has been seized in a single raid, how many more people are operating behind them? The entire network must be traced and rounded up,” he said.

Taking another swipe at the party, Stalin said that instead of using tahsildars to identify Communists, the TVK should first ascertain how many people like ‘Leo Das’ and ‘Powder Sarath’ were present in its ranks across districts.

Stalin further remarked that the TVK, which had earned the tag of a “Bad Party” within five months of coming to power, had now been “promoted” to a “Breaking Bad Party”.

Referring to the Chief Minister’s punch dialogue, Stalin concluded with a sarcastic warning: “Are you scared? It is going to get even more frightening as we go along.” He said the Chief Minister should refrain from delivering such a punch dialogue in response to the incident.

No casualties were reported in the incident, according to a Daily Thanthi report.

The mechanic shop in Janakipuram had several vehicles parked on its premises for repair work. In the early hours of Saturday (October 17), thick black smoke was noticed billowing from one of the cars.

Fire incident at the mechanic shop

Within minutes, the vehicle caught fire, and the flames spread rapidly to other cars parked nearby.

The sudden blaze caused concern in the locality, with the fire spreading across the workshop before emergency personnel could reach the spot.

Cars gets destroyed by fire

The fire engulfed three vehicles at the workshop. A luxury SUV parked there for repairs was completely gutted, while two other cars sustained severe damage in the blaze.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, as no employees were present at the mechanic shop when the fire broke out. The extent of the damage to the vehicles and the workshop is yet to be assessed.

The incident has raised questions about the possible cause of the fire, with officials investigating whether an electrical fault or another factor triggered the blaze.

Firefighters efforts

On receiving information about the incident, Fire and Rescue Services personnel rushed to the spot and began efforts to extinguish the flames.

After a prolonged operation, they managed to bring the fire under control and prevent it from spreading further.

Villupuram Taluk police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. The police are examining the circumstances under which the fire broke out, including the possibility of an electrical short circuit.

Further investigation is under way to establish the exact cause of the fire. The incident caused a stir in the area, particularly as three vehicles were damaged within a short span of time.

The firm accounted for nearly 74% of the Rs 352.55 crore in combined contributions reported by the two parties for 2025-26, highlighting the extent to which their political funding was concentrated in the hands of a single donor.

Tiger Associates, which had contributed Rs 110 crore to the two parties in 2024-25, donated Rs 135 crore to the AIADMK and Rs 125 crore to the DMK in 2025-26, taking its combined contributions to the two parties over two financial years to Rs 370 crore.

The AIADMK’s contribution report shows that Tiger Associates, linked to lottery magnate Santiago Martin through a common business associate, made six transfers totalling Rs 135 crore during the financial year. The firm accounted for nearly 84% of the AIADMK’s total contributions of Rs 161.36 crore.

The DMK’s disclosure records 14 contributions totalling Rs 125 crore from Tiger Associates, representing more than 65% of its total contributions of Rs 191.19 crore.

Tiger Associates’ designated partner Subbayan Nagarajan is a longtime associate of Santiago Martin.

Martin’s Future Gaming and Hotel Services had emerged as the largest purchaser of electoral bonds before the Supreme Court struck down the scheme in 2024.

The party has 109 MLAs, but barring the few councillors who crossed over, it has limited presence in local bodies, most of which are headed by the principal Opposition DMK. That is where the provision for MLAs to attend council meets would come in handy.

In a communication, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Additional Chief Secretary to the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, said, "Prominent places should be provided to MLAs and MPs in the council hall."

While they will still be outnumbered by councillors belonging to DMK and AIADMK, the ruling party MLAs will be able to take part in discussions during council meetings – and use the opportunity to score political points. Representing a nascent party with no big political baggage, they will be able to point fingers at the DMK without worrying about the blowback.

Most urban local bodies across Tamil Nadu, including corporations and municipalities, are headed by DMK representatives who were elected when the party was in power. After the change of government, there has been several instances of TVK and alliance partners demanding corporation mayors and municipal chairpersons to place Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s portrait, leading to heated arguments.

In Chennai, Mayor R Priya had running feuds with TVK MLAs and ministers, and has been staying away from even official functions attended by them.

Inaugurating the dedicated Pocso court at Tiruchy Combined Court premises through video conferencing, the Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari said that the child abuse victims should be treated compassionately when they come to the court and the judicial officers should ensure fair treatment and trial of the case.

He said that the dedicated Pocso court would speed up the pending cases and get prompt judgment for the victims.

He said that there are as many as 48 courts, including the newly established Pocso court in Tiruchy district and the officers at the Pocso court should deal with the cases carefully and provide an atmosphere to the victims to express their points.

“Speed should go hand in hand with the facts, and there should not be room for any wrong explanation,” he said. He also said that justice alone is not the final duty to the child victims and every child should be treated compassionately, and the officials should fairly ensure their safety and rights.

Tiruchy Principal District Judge M Christopher welcomed the gathering while the district Collector Pratik Tayal inaugurated the court in the presence of the City Commissioner of Police N Kamini.

Judge S Padma, presiding over the Special Court for cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, observed that the investigation was at an initial stage and that a substantial amount of money had changed hands.

“The police needed to investigate the transactions, and granting anticipatory bail at this stage could affect the probe,” the judge said.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Director General of Police (DGP) following information that several minor girls had allegedly been victimised by Veeramani, is investigating allegations of sexual abuse and an attempt to suppress the case by bribing officials to evade arrest. The police have accused Prakash of assisting Veeramani in selling properties worth several crores of rupees in Chennai and receiving a substantial amount for his assistance.

A Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against Prakash after the police found that he was abroad when they went to serve him a summons. He subsequently approached the special court seeking anticipatory bail, apprehending arrest in connection with the case.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan was hearing a public interest litigation filed by G Devarajan, seeking the transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Appearing for the police, public prosecutor John Sathyan submitted that seven cases had been registered in connection with the matter, including six cases of sexual assault and one of sexual assault leading to suicide. Five persons had been arrested, he said.

The bench noted that an earlier petition that made the same demand had been dismissed as withdrawn and that a related case was pending before a single judge. Asking whether the petitioner was attempting to stall the SIT investigation, the judges observed that the probe was at an initial stage and there was no valid reason to hand it over to the CBI.

The petitioner's counsel subsequently sought the permission to withdraw the PIL and approach the single judge hearing the related case. The bench permitted the withdrawal and dismissed the petition as withdrawn.

On September 29, 2026, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court quashed the charge sheet against Saravanan and Krishnakumari, the parents of main accused Surjith, citing insufficient material.

Kavin’s mother, Tamilselvi, said Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar had spoken to her about the matter. She expressed hope that the government would ensure justice for her son.

Kavin, who belonged to a Scheduled Caste, hailed from Arumugamangalam near Eral in Thoothukudi district. He was in a relationship with S. Subhashini, a Siddha doctor from Tirunelveli. Subhashini’s younger brother Surjith was arrested for Kavin’s murder on July 27, 2025. Police later named Surjith’s parents, Saravanan and Krishnakumari, and his cousin Jeyapaul as co-accused.

According to the CB-CID charge sheet filed before the II Additional District Court for cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in Tirunelveli, Saravanan and Krishnakumari, had known about the relationship since 2016-17. Both are police sub-inspectors and have since been suspended.

The charge sheet alleged that Saravanan had cautioned his daughter and spoken to Kavin over the phone in 2018-19.

It further alleged that after the murder, Surjith informed his father, who met him near a college and instructed him to destroy evidence.

The CB-CID also alleged that the couple helped Surjith destroy his clothes and mobile phone and remove the registration number plate of the two-wheeler used in the crime with the help of Jeyapaul, one of the four accused in the case.

However, Justice R Vijayakumar observed that there was no eyewitness, CCTV footage, photograph, video recording or independent witness statement to establish the alleged meeting between Surjith and his parents. Nor was there any recording, transcript, message or other electronic material showing what transpired at the meeting.

The judge noted that the prosecution relied on the fact that the mobile phones attributed to Surjith, Saravanan and Krishnakumari were connected to the same mobile tower during the relevant period. The court held that tower-location data alone could neither establish that the accused were together nor reveal the contents of any conversation.

The court also dismissed a similar petition filed by Jeyapaul, allowing the case against him to proceed. But it granted him conditional bail.

Under the initiative, visitors can pay entry fees in advance through the official website, https://kodaikanalwildlifesanctuary.com/, and access eco-tourism destinations by presenting a digital or printed receipt.

Kodaikanal, a popular hill station in Dindigul district, witnesses a heavy influx of tourists from across the country during holidays.

Popular tourist destinations under the Forest Department's control-Pillar Rocks, Guna Caves, Pine Forest and Moir Point-often witness traffic congestion on approach roads due to delays in ticketing, officials said.

Earlier, entry fees were collected separately at each tourist spot. The introduction of a centralised manual ticketing system later led to congestion on arterial roads. Authorities subsequently introduced on-site QR code payments, but erratic cellular connectivity in the hilly terrain resulted in long queues and delays for motorists.

Installing QR code kiosks at more than 10 locations also failed to ease congestion during peak hours, officials said.

The District Collector, the Superintendent of Police and the District Forest Officer subsequently worked together to devise the advanced online ticketing system, official sources said.

Forest officials have urged tourists to book their tickets through the official website before arriving in Kodaikanal to avoid delays at entry points and ensure smoother access to the tourist destinations. 

In a statement, Anbumani said the government announced the cancellation on October 14, citing administrative reasons, but the MTC later clarified that the cancellation notice was issued inadvertently and that the tendering process would continue.

Stressing the need for consistent administrative decisions, Anbumani urged the government to examine issues thoroughly before making decisions and ensure they are implemented firmly, instead of making hasty announcements and reversing them immediately.

The tender for procuring 1,000 electric buses was floated in March this year. However, the announcement of Assembly elections, the subsequent change of government and repeated extensions of the bid submission deadline had delayed the process.

Questioning how such a significant decision could be reversed within a day, Anbumani said government decisions pass through several levels of officials, from section officers to directors and secretaries. He argued that the confusion could not be attributed solely to officials and that those responsible for policy decisions should be held accountable.

He also reiterated his party's opposition to procuring electric buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model adopted by the previous DMK government under its agreement with the World Bank. He claimed that the arrangement would pave the way for the privatisation of the MTC.

If the tender had been cancelled over concerns about the model, the government should have stood by its decision instead of reversing it, he said.

The statements came as the AIADMK marked its 55th foundation day amid electoral setbacks and internal challenges. While Palaniswami called for strengthening the organisation and restoring its political standing, Velumani dismissed speculation that he was planning to quit the party, asserting that he owed his political identity to the AIADMK.

“Why should I leave the AIADMK that gave me an identity in politics?” Velumani asked, expressing confidence that Palaniswami would unite the party and restore its former strength.

“Everyone should come together to strengthen the AIADMK. Even OPS should come back. I believe the general secretary will unite everyone and restore the party to its former strength,” he said.

Stressing the need to strengthen the party at the grassroots level, Velumani referred to the AIADMK’s defeat in the recent Dharapuram by-election. He said the party had secured over 80,000 votes in the previous election but had suffered a setback this time. He called for providing opportunities to cadres who had worked for the party’s growth in the local body polls.

Describing the AIADMK as a major political movement that had been in power for 31 years, Velumani expressed confidence that it would regain power in keeping with the vision of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. He also made it clear that he had no ambition to become the party’s general secretary and that Palaniswami would continue to hold the post.

In his foundation day message, Palaniswami paid tribute to former Chief Ministers MG Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa, crediting their leadership with building the AIADMK into a major political force in Tamil Nadu.

He said the party had expanded its support base through welfare schemes for the poor, women, students, and other sections of society, as well as initiatives in education, healthcare, and social welfare. Acknowledging electoral setbacks and internal challenges, he urged cadres to draw inspiration from the two leaders, strengthen the organisation, and work to restore the party’s political standing.

Palaniswami also criticised the ruling TVK government, alleging failures in governance, law and order, and tackling drug abuse and crimes against women and children. He accused the government of neglecting ordinary people's livelihood concerns and called for a change in governance.

Separately, speaking to reporters in Tiruchy, Palaniswami accused the government of mishandling the release of water from the Mettur dam, alleging that it had resulted in crop losses and drinking water shortages.

He said the release was carried out despite warnings from experts and farmers and that the stipulated 45-day period had ended. With samba cultivation requiring water until January, he claimed that several farmers had abandoned cultivation because of inadequate water availability.

Palaniswami said the Mettur dam's water level stood at 57 feet on Friday and that people in around 20 districts depended on the Cauvery for drinking water. He blamed the government for the alleged crop losses and water shortage and urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to secure Tamil Nadu's due share of Cauvery water from Karnataka through the Cauvery Water Management Authority.

He also flagged rising prices of essential commodities, claiming that rice cost more than Rs 100 and sugar prices had increased by Rs 25 per kg. He alleged that grocery prices had risen by at least 40% and accused the government of failing to take steps to control inflation.

The department has asked the university to identify underperforming institutions and initiate appropriate action. However, university sources said Anna University cannot directly order the closure of colleges, as the decision rests with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Several engineering colleges across Tamil Nadu have recorded consistently poor examination results, raising concerns over the quality of engineering education and the continued participation of such institutions in the counselling process.

DT Next had earlier reported that 24 engineering colleges had not recorded a single pass in Anna University semester examinations over four years, from November-December 2021 to November-December 2025.

A total of 2,425 students from these colleges appeared for semester examinations during the period. Of them, 1,394 candidates took examinations in the first, third and fifth semesters, while 1,031 appeared for the second, fourth and sixth semesters. None cleared the examinations.

The analysis also found that 177 colleges had recorded fewer than 50 students passing the examinations over the four years, highlighting concerns over academic standards and students' ability to complete their courses within the prescribed time.

Educationists had earlier urged Anna University to review institutions with poor results and low student intake and ensure they had adequate academic infrastructure and teaching facilities before admitting students through counselling.

Tamil Nadu has 418 engineering colleges with a sanctioned intake of 2,53,806 seats. Of these, 1,99,775 seats were filled through counselling in 2026. Only 35 colleges recorded 100% admissions, while 24 colleges filled less than 10% of their sanctioned seats.

With the government directing the university to examine underperforming institutions, attention is now on the measures that will be introduced to monitor admissions and academic performance and safeguard students' interests.

“The act of the investigating officer is nothing but falsification of public record before the Court of law,” observed Justice P Murugan, directing the Commissioner to file an action taken report within three months. The court also quashed the FIR against the petitioner, Sivaganesh.

The SS Colony police, Madurai, had registered the case on December 27, 2020, alleging that Sivaganesh possessed 270 grams of ganja, a small quantity under the NDPS Act, in 27 small packets. The offence carried a maximum punishment of one year, attracting a one-year limitation period for taking cognisance under Section 468 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

However, Sivaganesh learnt of the case only in May 2022, when the Assam Rifles rejected his job application because of the pending criminal case. He then approached the High Court seeking to quash the FIR.

The court noted that although the final report was filed online on August 5, 2022, it was submitted after the limitation period had expired. It was produced before the court on October 12, 2025, for compliance with certain requirements; a step the court held was also clearly barred by limitation.

The investigating officer had not sought an extension, and the Magistrate had not passed a reasoned order condoning the delay under Section 473 of the CrPC.

Coming down heavily on both the officer and the Magistrate of Madurai Judicial Magistrate V, the court observed that the officer had foisted a false case by invoking an inapplicable provision of law, while the Magistrate had taken cognisance without applying judicial mind.

The court pointed out that although the FIR dated back to December 2020, the final report cited Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which came into force only on July 1, 2024. The Judge observed that this was concrete evidence that the police had foisted a false case on the petitioner.

Of the Magistrate, the Court observed, “Even without appreciating the date of offence, chargesheet, and included section 193 of BNSS, the Magistrate wrongly took the case on file, wherein the Magistrate has not taken cognisance on application of mind.”

The Magistrate appeared to have taken the case on file merely by affixing a rubber stamp, which the court said could not be accepted.

It noted that this court had earlier directed Magistrates and Special Courts to apply their judicial mind and not take cases on file merely by affixing a seal or making an endorsement.

However, the Magistrate violated these directions.

During the hearing of a civil revision petition, Justice N Anand Venkatesh noted that more than 95% of the matrimonial disputes before the court involved couples who married during the pandemic period and had lived together for only six to nine months.

The court noted that almost all matrimonial disputes that came before it in the last three months involved marriages solemnised between 2019 and 2022. In more than 95% of the cases, the couples had lived together for only six to nine months, while some shared the same roof for just three months.

The years spanning 2020 to 2022 were peak pandemic years in India, with the first and second waves forcing the country into an unprecedented lockdown.

Observing that the pandemic damaged the institution of marriage, the court said living together in the same house exposed the best and worst aspects of couples’ characters, while concerns about the future and the extraordinary circumstances directly affected their marital relationship.

The court said matrimonial disputes arising during the 2020-2022 period should be treated as a separate category and require out-of-the-box thinking for resolution and expressed its intention to explore a different approach to resolving such disputes.

The Madras High Court directed all principal district judges across Tamil Nadu to collect data from Family Courts and other courts dealing with matrimonial disputes involving marriages solemnised between 2020 and 2022 and submit it before the next hearing on November 27.

The court said it would seek the assistance of family court lawyers to explore the alternatives to amicably resolve these cases.

The court disposed of the civil revision petition after finding the Rs 10,000 maintenance fixed by the Alandur sub court in March to be reasonable and directing the petitioner husband to pay the arrears of the maintenance within four weeks.

In a statement, he criticised the Supreme Court's dismissal of the Tamil Nadu government's appeal on reservation rights of religious converts, saying the ruling that converts to Islam could not claim reservation based on their previous caste identity went against social justice.

Reservation was intended to address social and educational backwardness, not religion, he said, adding that caste discrimination and social exclusion persisted across religions.

Conversion alone did not eliminate the disadvantages faced by Scheduled Caste people who embraced Islam or Christianity, he added.

The CPI urged the Union government to ensure that religious converts retained their existing reservation benefits and called on the Tamil Nadu government to initiate appropriate legal action.

Inspecting the Kilambakkam bus terminus and the temporary bus stand at Maraimalai Nagar on Thursday night, he assured residents that the transport department would restore the ground if it was damaged by bus operations.

The temporary facility was set up near the Maraimalai Nagar municipal office to operate additional buses to delta districts, including Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Pattukkottai, Mannargudi and Vedaranyam, during the extended holiday period. Additional services are being operated from Kilambakkam, the nearby Science Park and Maraimalai Nagar to ease crowding and traffic congestion.

The temporary bus stand has raised concerns among residents, particularly parents and young people who use the ground for sports. “Some people have been spreading misinformation that the facility would become permanent. Residents need not worry about it. If the ground is damaged due to bus operations, the transport department will restore it,” he stated, and added that the government was also considering operating special buses for persons with disabilities. “Discussions are under way with department officials, and a decision will be taken after consulting Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay,” the minister said.

On allegations of private omnibus operators charging exorbitant fares during the holiday rush, he stressed that no complaints had been received so far. Operators had been warned against overcharging, and violations would invite stringent action, including seizure of buses and penalties. Senior police officials have been asked to deploy additional personnel on GST Road near Kilambakkam to regulate traffic.

Dismissing reports of passengers waiting at the termini without buses, Parthiban said that most passengers waiting at the facilities had reserved tickets and arrived about 30 minutes before their scheduled departure. On Friday, the minister inspected bus operations at the Koyambedu bus terminus as part of the department’s arrangements to manage the holiday rush.