Police said Annamalai (55), a differently abled employee of a private firm was driving a two wheeler with his wife Baby (47) in pillion on Dharapuram Road, when a lorry hit them from behind near the roundana in the morning.

In the impact, the couple was thrown onto the road and eventually, the lorry ran over them. The public immediately rushed them to a Government Hospital in Kangeyam, however they died by then.

The couple from Kalimedu in Kangeyam is survived by a 16-year-old daughter, studying first year diploma at a private polytechnic college in Erode and an eight year old son studying class four at a private school in Kangeyam.

The Kangeyam police have registered a case and further investigations are on.

In the first incident, Bala Rakshana (15) was staying in a private school's hostel near Orikkai in Kancheepuram.

On Tuesday (July 21) morning, the fellow students found Rakshana was unresponsive in the hostel. She was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police noted that she hails from Tirunelveli. Her parents told the police that Bala Rakshana had mentioned facing certain issues in school, but they told her to focus on her studies. The Kancheepuram Taluk police have registered a case, and further investigation is ongoing.

In another incident, Sabiya (16), who studied in a private school in Egattur near Kelambakkam, ended her life.

Police said the girl's parents had recently scolded her over excessive use of social media.

On Monday (July 20) night, after an argument with her parents, she went to the eighth floor of their apartment and jumped to the ground, and she died on the spot.

The Kelambakkam police visited the spot and sent the body for post-mortem to the Chengalpattu GH. The police have registered a case, and further probe is under way.

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.

In a message posted on social media, Vijay wished Kharge good health and a long life. He also lauded the veteran Congress leader's public service and expressed hope that he would continue his dedicated service to the people.

"I sincerely wish you good health and a long life. May you continue your dedicated public service with the same commitment," the Chief Minister said.

While leaders from across the country, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, extended their greetings to Kharge, former ally DMK did not join the list of leaders extending the courtesy.

Neither DMK president MK Stalin nor the party released a statement wishing the Congress leader on his birthday, even though the former Chief Minister wished Kharge on his birthday in the past.

The absence of a greeting comes in the backdrop of the strained relationship between the DMK and the Congress following the collapse of their alliance.

The two parties have also been maintaining separate seating arrangements in Parliament since the split.

The farmers belonging to Cauvery Delta Farmers Protection Association led by the president D Swaminathan who staged a protest at Budalur in Thanjavur charged that the Karnataka government failed to release the due share of water to Tamil Nadu despite the court direction but the Chief Minister Shivakumar has been going ahead with the construction of the Mekedatu dam.

The farmers urged the Union Government to stop the construction of a dam which would turn the Delta region a desert.

They also demanded the Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to initiate legal proceedings against the Karnataka government and prevent the dam construction.

They also demanded a kuruvai loss compensation of Rs 25,000 per acre and ensure proper desilt of the water bodies across the state particularly in the delta region.

While they were raising slogans, a section of protesting farmers brought the effigy of Karnataka Chief Minister Shivakumar and burnt it amidst raising slogans against Karnataka.

Meanwhile in Tiruchy the farmers led by P Ayyakannu, state president of Desiya Thennidhiya Nadhigal Inaippu Sangam entered into the Kollidam river near Upper Anicut and staged a protest amidst water.

They demanded the Karnataka government to release the due share of water to Tamil Nadu and condemned the construction of the Mekedatu dam. On information, the Jeeyapuram police rushed to the spot and removed them from the river.

As part of the scheme to encourage kuruvai cultivation, farmers undertaking machine transplantation or direct sowing are eligible for a subsidy of Rs 4,000 per acre, subject to a ceiling of two acres. They also receive a 50 per cent subsidy on seeds through agriculture extension centres, along with liquid biofertilisers and micronutrient mixtures.

Chandra Sekhar Sakhamuri, director of agricultural marketing and agri business and monitoring officer for Thiruvarur, visited Keezha Velli and Pathur villages in Koradacheri and inspected ongoing machine transplantation and direct sowing works.

He said machine transplantation would reduce labour dependence and cultivation costs, benefiting farmers. He interacted with farmers to understand the challenges they face and inspected nursery growth, transplantation methods and crop maintenance.

Sakhamuri urged farmers to apply nutrients and biofertilisers properly to improve yields, make effective use of the scheme and seek timely guidance and field visits from agriculture officials whenever required.

Meanwhile, J Vijaya Rani, director of Horticulture and Plantation Crops Department and monitoring officer for Nagapattinam, inspected machine transplantation and direct sowing at Thalanayar and interacted with farmers.

The committee, comprising 10 senior party functionaries, including former ministers Thangam Thennarasu, Geetha Jeevan, Chakrapani and SS Sivasankar, briefed Stalin on the consultations held so far.

The panel is expected to submit its report in the first week of August.

Sources said the committee has already held consultations with leaders of various party wings and functionaries from across the State.

It is also examining the reports submitted by the district-level consultative committees before finalising its recommendations.

The restructuring exercise is expected to include recommendations on the reorganisation of the party structure, district units, and various party wings, besides measures aimed at strengthening the DMK ahead of the ensuing elections.

The deceased was identified as Prema, wife of Rajaram, a daily wage labourer from Keelathoppu in Sellur. Rajaram alleged that Prema had borrowed Rs 2 lakh at 4 per cent monthly interest from her friend Selva Kalaiyarasi of Sikkandarchavadi in 2021 to meet the marriage expenses of their elder daughter.

"My wife paid Rs 1.5 lakh as interest. However, Kalaiyarasi did not reduce even a single rupee from the principal amount," Rajaram told reporters.

Rajaram alleged that Kalaiyarasi later borrowed Rs 2 lakh from Thiruppathi on behalf of Prema, telling her that she need not repay Kalaiyarasi and should instead repay Thiruppathi with 4 per cent monthly interest. Thiruppathi was known to both of them. "My wife had no other option but to agree to Kalaiyarasi's proposal," he said.

Prema, who worked at a flower shop, began paying interest to Thiruppathi. However, he later demanded 10 per cent monthly interest on the principal amount. "My wife borrowed money from friends and relatives and paid Rs 20,000 every month as interest to him," Rajaram claimed.

However, due to ill health, Prema was unable to pay the interest for the past three months.

Rajaram alleged that on July 13, Thiruppathi, Selva Kalaiyarasi and two others came to their house and threatened the family while demanding payment. He further alleged that they later confronted Prema at the flower shop where she worked in Nelpettai, verbally abused and humiliated her, and that Thiruppathi attempted to pull her sari in full public view.

Unable to bear the alleged harassment, Prema consumed pesticide at her workplace on July 13 and collapsed. She was rescued by neighbours and admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital, where she died while undergoing treatment.

Rajaram alleged that although he immediately lodged a complaint with the local police, no action was taken. He claimed that the Vilakkuthoon police registered a case only after he approached the Madurai City Commissioner of Police. A police source said investigators had examined CCTV footage from an ATM near the area, which proved that the usurers harassed Prema.

Following her death, Prema's family members and relatives gathered outside the hospital mortuary and staged a road blockade, demanding the arrest of all those allegedly responsible for her death. The protest disrupted traffic for about 30 minutes before police diverted vehicles.

Police officials assured the protesters that the investigation was progressing and informed them that Selva Kalaiyarasi had been arrested and that the remaining accused would also be apprehended. Following the assurance, the relatives withdrew the protest and received the body for the last rites.

Vellathurai, the second accused in the case registered by the Palani Adivaram police in the Temple land fraud case, contended that he had been falsely implicated due to political vendetta. Though it is a civil property dispute, it was given criminal colour.

The petitioner Vellathurai submitted that he had recently sold his own property for more than Rs 2 crore and was looking to reinvest the amount on the advice of his chartered accountant to claim capital gains tax benefits. Before purchasing the property, he said, he had verified the title and relied on civil court decrees recognising the vendor's title.

The petitioner further contended that the Sub-Registrar had initially refused registration of the sale deed and that it was eventually registered only after directions issued by the High Court. He has a comfortable source of income from agriculture, and hence he had no intention of grabbing temple property.

Apprehending arrest in the case, Vellathurai sought anticipatory bail from the High Court. The court asked him to include the CB-CID as a respondent and post the hearing tomorrow.

The protesters said procured paddy had not been moved from the centres since the procurement season began, leading to a shortage of storage space and affecting smooth procurement. They urged the authorities to shift paddy once a DPC accumulates 5,000 bags.

Seeking a wage revision, the workers demanded a minimum monthly salary of Rs 30,000.

Referring to the Food Minister's recent visit to the Delta region, the workers said he had contacted farmers from DPCs over the phone to inquire about alleged bribe collection. "This indirectly targets us. The money collected for various reasons is distributed to several sources, but we alone are being held responsible. The government should conduct a fair investigation and take steps to curb bribe collection," they said.

The protest disrupted paddy procurement for some time. Following talks with officials and their assurance, the workers withdrew their protest.

Releasing the draft syllabus, he said the revised curriculum marked a shift from a teacher-centric approach to child-centric education, with the focus on making learning engaging, inclusive and activity-based.

Referring to his recent visit to the US to study global education practices, Rajmohan said the government had drawn inspiration from international models while framing the new curriculum. He said that while many countries had adopted Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, Tamil Nadu would go a step further by adopting the STEAM approach, integrating arts with science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

As part of the changes, mathematics will be taught through storytelling to help children grasp concepts in a more enjoyable manner instead of relying on rote learning. Science education will also be delivered through interdisciplinary methods that combine scientific concepts with arts and creativity.

Rajmohan said textbooks would contain fewer text-heavy pages and more illustrations, with QR codes enabling students to access audio and video lessons using mobile phones at home. The curriculum would also place emphasis on competency-based learning rather than merely completing the syllabus.

The minister said students would be introduced to AI tools and prompt engineering, while the curriculum would also nurture natural intelligence by promoting compassion, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. He stressed that AI would not replace human jobs but that students should be equipped to use emerging technologies effectively.

Rajmohan said the revised curriculum for Classes I to III had already been finalised, teachers had completed training under the "training of trainers" model, and the required learning materials had been printed and dispatched to schools. He added that draft syllabi for Classes IV to XII had also been prepared, with some of them already uploaded online to invite suggestions from the public and educationists.

Urging teachers and other stakeholders to embrace the reforms, the Minister said the curriculum had been redesigned with the future of children at its core. "The only thing we need to do now is adapt ourselves to child-centric education," he said, adding that the success of the reforms depended on collective support for the new approach to teaching and learning.

The revised curriculum will also include lessons on respecting parents, gender equality, sharing and humanitarian values, besides giving greater prominence to India's scientific achievements, archaeology and cultural heritage.

Rajmohan said dedicated newspaper reading sessions would be introduced in schools to improve reading habits among students.

Highlighting the government's focus on scientific learning, he said efforts were under way in collaboration with ISRO to encourage government school students to design small satellites.

He expressed confidence that student-built satellites from government schools could one day be launched into space with ISRO's guidance.

On school administration, he said school recognition and approval processes would be fully digitised to eliminate corruption and ensure that approvals are granted only to institutions meeting prescribed safety and infrastructure standards.

Recalling the Kumbakonam school fire tragedy, Raj Mohan said digitising approvals would help prevent lapses in safety compliance and ensure greater accountability.

He said draft syllabi for higher classes had also been prepared and uploaded online for public feedback. Teacher training for the initial phase of implementation had been completed and learning materials were ready for rollout. He urged teachers to embrace the new curriculum, saying the reforms were aimed at creating classrooms where children learn through stories, activities and exploration rather than fear and rote memorisation.

In the 2026 Assembly election, Vijay contested from the Perambur constituency and defeated DMK candidate RD Shekar with 1,20,365 votes. RD Shekar had secured 66,650 votes and the margin was 53,715 votes. Vijay had also contested from Tiruchy East and won. He retained the Perambur seat.

Aggrieved by the result, RD Shekar filed an election petition challenging Vijay's election. Separate petitions were also filed by two voters from the Perambur constituency, S Dinesh and TN Lakshmi Narasimhan.

In his election petition, RD Shekar alleged that Vijay had furnished contradictory information in his election affidavit and had failed to properly disclose his assets and pending criminal cases. He sought a declaration that Vijay's election be declared void.

When the matter came up for hearing before Justice V Lakshminarayanan, counsel Richardson Wilson, appearing for RD Shekar, submitted that notices had not been served on Chief Minister Vijay and the Returning Officer, who have been arrayed as respondents in the case.

Recording the submission, Justice V Lakshminarayanan directed that fresh notices be issued to Chief Minister Vijay, the Returning Officer and the other respondents, and adjourned the matter by two weeks.

The intensified drive was being carried out in coordination with the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, School Education Department, and the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department to curb the spread of the vector-borne disease.

“Our surveillance has been strengthened across the State. Field workers inspect around 200 houses every day in their respective areas to identify mosquito breeding sources, assess the local dengue situation and detect suspected cases at the earliest,” Dr A Somasundaram, director of DPH, told DT Next.

The department was also closely tracking patients admitted to hospitals with dengue-like symptoms to monitor the severity of infections and ensure timely treatment. “We’ve also intensified entomological surveillance by studying mosquito larvae and adult Aedes mosquitoes to understand the prevailing pattern of transmission and examine whether there are any changes in circulating dengue viruses. For now, the existing treatment protocol remains; TN’s healthcare infrastructure is fully equipped to manage dengue cases,” he added.

Responding to reports on the recently approved dengue vaccine, the DPH chief said that Tamil Nadu was yet to receive any official communication from the Union government regarding its introduction. “The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has granted marketing authorisation for Qdenga, the first dengue vaccine approved in India. However, we’ve not received any official communication on procurement, allocation or distribution. Until such directions are issued by the Centre, there is no question of introducing the vaccine in the State,” he said. “Our immediate priority continues to be surveillance, source reduction and prompt clinical management.”

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The illness typically presents with high fever, severe headache, body and joint pain, nausea, vomiting and skin rashes.

While there is no specific antiviral treatment, officials stress that early diagnosis, adequate hydration, timely medical care and sustained mosquito control remain the most effective measures to prevent severe disease and fatalities.

The demand was raised during Palaniswami's district-wise review meeting on the party's electoral performance and organisational activities. Functionaries said bringing back Sasikala and Dinakaran would be in the interest of the party's growth.

Similar demands have been raised by functionaries from other districts during Palaniswami's review meetings. However, he did not give any indication on the proposal or announce a decision during Tuesday's meeting.

Earlier, when asked about the possibility of a merger between the AMMK and the AIADMK, Dinakaran had said such a decision would depend on the prevailing political situation.

Sasikala and Dhinakaran were expelled from the AIADMK following the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Dhinakaran subsequently floated the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) in 2018, while Sasikala recently launched the All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AIPTMMK) ahead of the Assembly elections.

With the party's support declining in the southern districts, several functionaries have repeatedly argued that the return of Sasikala and Dhinakaran could help revive its organisational strength in the region.

The data from January 1 to June 30, 2026, was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (July 21). Maharashtra topped the list with 58 deaths, followed by Haryana with 47, while Uttar Pradesh reported 37 deaths.

The figures were furnished by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, in response to an unstarred question raised by MP D Ravi Kumar on the eradication of manual scavenging.

The data showed that 332 cleanliness workers lost their lives across 18 states and union territories during the period. Besides the leading states, 29 deaths were reported in Delhi, 27 in Gujarat, 23 in Rajasthan, 13 each in Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, 12 each in Karnataka and Punjab, nine in Telangana and five in Andhra Pradesh.

The Union government informed Parliament that 193 FIRs had been registered against agencies or officials responsible for employing persons for hazardous manual cleaning over the last five years. However, it said no evaluation had been carried out on the implementation of mechanised sewer cleaning across states.

Reiterating that manual scavenging is prohibited under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, the Centre said anyone employing a person for manual scavenging could face imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, or both.

It also said no instances of manual scavenging had been reported in the recent survey conducted across all districts.

Speaking to reporters at the CPI (ML) office in Ambattur, Shanmugam said information that has emerged so far indicated that officials of the Registration Department and influential persons were involved in the alleged fraud.

He alleged that those behind the registration had even misled the courts by failing to disclose pending cases related to the property during the registration process. "This can be described as one of the biggest frauds to have taken place in Tamil Nadu," he said.

Shanmugam said the case has been transferred to the CB-CID and stressed that the investigation should be conducted fairly and impartially. He demanded that everyone involved, irrespective of their position or influence, be arrested, prosecuted and punished under the law.

Responding to a question on whether the incident should be termed "corruption" or "fraud", Shanmugam said there was no evidence so far to directly link the present government or its ministers to the alleged irregularities.

He, however, alleged that the fraud appeared to have been carried out by Registration Department officials, who, he claimed, manipulated the registration process by deploying officials of their choosing. "What has emerged so far points to a coordinated fraud by officials. Appropriate action should be taken against all those responsible," he said.

The appointments will be made under Section 49(1) of the HR&CE Act for temples that do not have hereditary trustees, according to an official release.

The HR&CE Department said detailed notifications, including the list of temples, eligibility criteria and application forms, have been uploaded on its official website.

Eligible candidates may apply online or download the application form, and submit it along with the required documents.

Applications may also be submitted in person or sent by Speed Post to the office of the Assistant Commissioner of the respective district. The application has to be submitted by 5.45 pm on August 20, 2026, the department said.

It further noted that notifications had already been issued for the appointment of non-hereditary trustees to 1,012 temples and for the constitution of district-level committees in 14 districts, underscoring the government’s phased approach to strengthening temple governance and streamlining administrative oversight.

When the matter came up for hearing before the First Bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan, the State government submitted that the report was ready and sought one week to file it before the court.

Expressing displeasure, the Bench observed that stray dog bite incidents were occurring daily, with children being the worst affected, and noted that monthly compliance reports were required under the Supreme Court's directions.

The judges said no effective action appeared to have been taken to curb the menace and pointed out that even the Madras High Court campus was facing the problem.

They observed that while the government's report might contain details of the measures taken, no concrete results were visible on the ground, and directed the authorities to ensure effective implementation of the Supreme Court's directions.

The Bench granted one week's time to file the report and adjourned the matter to July 30.

The Supreme Court on May 19, 2026, upheld the Animal Welfare Board's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), expanded the scope of institutional premises, and directed all High Courts to initiate suo motu public interest litigations to monitor the implementation of its directions.

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria took note of a news report and expressed shock over the 6.25 lakh dog bite cases and 34 deaths reported in the state in 2025.

The Supreme Court ruled that sterilised stray dogs picked up from any public place do not have an absolute right to be released at the same location and should instead be shifted to animal shelters.

The Madras High Court then initiated suo motu proceedings and directed the Governments of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to file status reports on the implementation of the Supreme Court's directions.

The interim order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Justices CV Karthikeyan and Sakthivel on a writ petition filed by A Rajendran, a resident of Thuraiyur in Tiruchirappalli district.

The petition was listed as an urgent matter. When it came up for hearing, the petitioner's counsel told the court that Rajendran had been running an optical shop on a piece of land that he purchased in 2019 and had been regularly paying property tax and electricity charges.

However, Thuraiyur MLA Ravishankar, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, allegedly acted out of political vendetta and visited the property on July 15 along with the Revenue Inspector and the Assistant Engineer of Tangedco. The petitioner alleged that the MLA orally instructed the electricity official to disconnect the power supply to his shop and directed the Revenue Inspector to evict him within three days.

Petitioner blamed Thuraiyur MLA Ravishankar for alleged political vendetta and said he visited the property on July 15 along with Revenue Inspector and Tangedco AE

The petitioner further alleged that, acting on the MLA's instructions, officials of the Revenue and Electricity Departments disconnected the electricity supply to his shop. He further stated that the Revenue Department had issued a notice stating that if the shop was not vacated within three days, it would be demolished and removed.

Despite Rajendran producing his title documents, the Revenue Inspector allegedly ignored his objections, threatened eviction without following due process, and later affixed a notice under Section 7 of the Tamil Nadu Land Encroachment Act directing him to vacate the premises by July 19.

Challenging the notice issued under Section 7 of the Tamil Nadu Land Encroachment Act, 1905, Rajendran contended that the eviction proceedings had been initiated without jurisdiction, as the property was privately owned under a registered sale deed. He further contended that the authorities didn’t give prior notice for eviction violating the procedure prescribed under the Act.

The petitioner therefore approached the High Court seeking relief. After examining the petition, the Bench directed the Assistant Engineer, Tangedco, to immediately restore the petitioner's electricity connection. It also granted an interim injunction restraining the authorities from taking any coercive action against the petitioner without following due process of law.

The Bench further directed the Tiruchy District Collector and the Revenue authorities to file their counter affidavit and adjourned the matter for further hearing.

The notifications declare the projects as national infrastructure for a public purpose, enabling land acquisition for their implementation.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Arakkonam-Renigunta third and fourth line has been completed and submitted to the Railway Board for approval. The project proposes extending the additional railway lines beyond the existing four line Chennai-Arakkonam section.

Similarly, the Gummidipundi-Gudur project is proposed as an extension of the third and fourth line works already sanctioned between Athipattu and Gummidipundi. While the Chennai-Athipattu section already has four railway lines, work on the Athipattu-Gummidipundi stretch is expected to commence shortly. Extending the additional lines up to Gudur is expected to enhance freight capacity and improve traffic movement.

The special services will be operated on July 24-26 (Friday to Sunday) in addition to the regular schedules, as travel demand is expected to increase.

So far, 15,963 passengers have booked tickets from Chennai and other cities to their native places, with the number expected to rise further.

From Kilambakkam, 395 special buses will be operated on Friday and 330 buses on Saturday to destinations including Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchy, Kumbakonam, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Coimbatore, Salem, Erode and Tirupur.

From Koyambedu, 120 special buses each will be operated on Friday and Saturday to Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Velankanni, Hosur and Bengaluru. In addition, 200 special buses have been planned from Bengaluru, Tirupur, Erode and Coimbatore to various destinations.

From Madhavaram, 25 special buses will be operated on both Friday and Saturday to Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Polur and Puducherry.

To facilitate the return of passengers to Chennai and Bengaluru after the weekend, 420 special buses will be operated from various parts of the State on Sunday.

Officials said that 6,487 passengers booked tickets for Friday, 2,387 for Saturday and 7,089 for Sunday, taking the total advance bookings to 15,963. The number is expected to increase in the coming days. Additional officials have also been deployed at major bus terminals to monitor the operation of the special services.

Book your tickets in advance through TNSTC mobile app or on www.tnstc.in

Speaking to the media during the protest, he recalled Anitha's struggle against NEET and said Tamil Nadu had been opposing the examination since it was introduced across the country in 2017.

Anitha scored 1,176 out of 1,200 in Class 12

According to him, Anitha had not prepared for NEET as she had been preparing for admission based on her Class 12 board examination marks. He said she scored 1,176 out of 1,200 marks and was academically eligible to pursue a medical course under the admission system followed in Tamil Nadu at the time.

However, after NEET was introduced, medical admissions were based on NEET scores, and Anitha could not secure a medical seat through the new system, he said.

He recalled that Anitha had protested against NEET and approached political leaders, arguing that the examination was unfair to students and that there was no equal education system across the country. He also said she had approached the Supreme Court against NEET but did not receive the justice she had sought.

NEET is unfair to rural, poor students

He said Anitha's death triggered widespread protests across Tamil Nadu, with people demanding justice for her and opposing NEET.

"NEET is unfair to State Board students, people from rural areas and economically weaker sections," he said, adding that political parties in Tamil Nadu had continued to oppose the examination.

He demanded that NEET be abolished and said Tamil Nadu should be granted an exemption from the examination.

"We need to ban and abolish NEET," he said.

The TVK government is failing to prevent the dumping of Kerala’s waste in the State, he alleged.

In a statement, Nainar Nagenthran claimed that around 10 tonnes of waste from Kerala has been dumped on land belonging to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department at Kizhakadayam in Tenkasi district. He claimed that sacks found at the site bore Malayalam writings and Kerala vehicle registration details, indicating that the waste had originated from the neighbouring State.

“The government’s continued negligence in border surveillance has turned Tamil Nadu into a dumping ground for Kerala’s waste,” he said. He alleged that the dumped material included plastic waste, electronic waste and expired medicines, posing a threat to the Jambu Nadi, agricultural lands and groundwater in the region.

Demanding swift action, the BJP leader urged the State government to immediately transport the waste back to Kerala and initiate stringent legal action, including invoking the Goondas Act, against those responsible for the illegal dumping. He also accused the government of failing to protect temple properties and effectively monitor the State’s borders.

In a separate statement, he urged the Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led government to revive the long-pending Uppur thermal power project to strengthen the State’s power infrastructure.

Revival of the 1,600 MW Uppur thermal power project in Ramanathapuram district, inaugurated in 2016 during the AIADMK government led by late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa but shelved in 2021 following environmental concerns, litigation and delays in land acquisition, is crucial, he said.

Claiming that nearly Rs 5,847 crore had already been spent on the project, he urged the government to constitute a committee comprising officials and local residents to identify the obstacles and recommend a roadmap for implementation. Reviving the project, he said, would help address Tamil Nadu’s power shortage while generating employment opportunities for engineers, skilled professionals and local youth, and urged the government to act without further delay.

The bus, carrying students from Gerugambakkam and Kolapakkam, developed smoke from the engine compartment as it neared the school. The driver immediately pulled over and evacuated the students.

Members of the public and employees of a nearby fuel station, where the incident occurred, helped move the children to safety and used fire extinguishers to douse the flames before the fire spread further.

A replacement vehicle was later arranged to take the students to school.

Mangadu police visited the spot and began an inquiry. Preliminary investigation suggests the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, though police said other possible causes were also being examined.

The incident has prompted parents to demand a fresh inspection of the school's buses. Officials had inspected private school vehicles before the reopening of schools after the summer vacation.

The cancelled tenders relate to various works, including the removal of silt and debris from water bodies in the Parambikulam-Aliyar basin.

According to the department, the tenders were floated through the limited tender route instead of the prescribed open tender process, restricting participation to a select group of contractors.

The department also found that contractors were directed to appear in person to obtain tender documents, despite the government's existing instructions prohibiting such a requirement.

The issue had earlier been flagged by Arappor Iyakkam, which alleged procedural violations in the tender process.

Following the complaints and scrutiny, the WRD cancelled all 22 tenders and initiated corrective action.

According to videos and reports, Arivu was detained by the police while protesting outside the Tamil Nadu Secretariat in Chennai but was later invited to meet Chief Minister Vijay in person and discussed the issue with him. After the meeting, he was accompanied by Minister Aadhav Arjuna till the exit, as seen in videos.

Therukkural Arivu had staged the protest demanding that Chief Minister Vijay raise his voice against NEET. He was detained by the police and later brought back to the Secretariat before meeting Vijay.

Udhayanidhi condemns TVK government

In a post on X, Udhayanidhi criticised the Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government for arresting Therukkural Arivu, whom he described as his dear brother.

He said Arivu's voice reflects the feelings and demands of lakhs of people across Tamil Nadu and the country. Udhayanidhi also said the arrest came at a time when protests and rallies against NEET were intensifying across India.

'Voices against NEET should not be suppressed'

Udhayanidhi said the action against Arivu sends a worrying message to Tamil Nadu's youth who are planning to take to the streets in support of young people protesting against NEET in Delhi.

He alleged that the NEET examination is not only filled with irregularities but has also become a major scam. "The voices raised against NEET should be heard and not suppressed," he said.

Taking strong exception to Markandeyan's controversial and unsavoury remarks targeting Vijay, the Speaker clarified that the police were not required to seek his permission to arrest an MLA outside the Assembly premises, but must inform him of the arrest.

"Accordingly, the Tuticorin district Superintendent of Police informed me immediately after the arrest," the Speaker told reporters here. His permission was needed as per Assembly rules if the member's arrest is to be made on the Assembly premises or the precincts under his control, Prabhakar said.

He would review any formal written complaint submitted to his office over the controversial remarks made by the DMK member, and take appropriate action in accordance with the Assembly rules.

"The MLA's comments have caused public outcry and anger," the Speaker acknowledged when asked about Markandeyan's arrest and his purported remarks. He, however, said that he cannot act based on media reports alone, but a formal written submission to initiate an investigation was required.

"Any affected person or member can file such a complaint," he added.

In an escalation of the tussle between the ruling TVK and main opposition DMK, the Dravidian party's legislator was arrested here on Monday for his purported "we will crush your bones" remark against the chief minister. After several hours of questioning, the MLA was produced by police before a local court, which remanded him to 14-day judicial custody.

DMK President and former Chief Minister M K Stalin denounced the police action for what he described as "political criticism" and warned of consequences.

"Is this the rule of law or devil's regime in Tamil Nadu?" he asked.

In the viral video, the MLA, referring to Vijay's recent remark targeting Stalin and his comment that the Assembly hall may have to be locked up so that Opposition members would listen and not leave the House, condemned the chief minister.

"He (Chief Minister Vijay) says he will lock up the Assembly hall; if it was locked up, you (Vijay) will not have bones; you will be allowed to go only after your bones are broken," the legislator purportedly remarked on July 18 at a public meeting in Kovilpatti.

Following his arrest, the MLA alleged that police attempted to assault him and that his life was in danger. He claimed that he was threatened by police at gunpoint.

Markandeyan, representing Vilathikulam constituency, levelled the allegations as he was being escorted by a heavy posse of police for a medical examination at the Tuticorin Government Medical College Hospital following questioning by the police for nearly ten hours since his arrest in the morning.

Speaking to reporters at Chennai airport before leaving for New Delhi, Anbumani said the party's position remained unchanged: NEET should be scrapped, as it had become commercialised and failed to ensure merit in medical admissions.

Referring to the anti NEET protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, he said students and members of various sections of society had participated in the demonstration to highlight flaws in the examination system. While stressing that protests should remain peaceful, he alleged that the violence was triggered after outsiders infiltrated the agitation and diverted it from its original purpose.

On the Mekedatu dam issue, Anbumani said it was not a political issue concerning any single party but a matter affecting the rights and interests of the people of Tamil Nadu. He called on all political parties, including the DMK, AIADMK, BJP and PMK, to unite in opposing the project.

The PMK leader urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to convene an all-party meeting, take representatives of all parties to New Delhi and jointly meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Jal Shakti Minister to exert pressure against the project.

He further said that if necessary, all MPs from Tamil Nadu should stage a united protest within the Parliament complex to safeguard the state's water rights.

Anbumani also criticised the continuation of arrests under the present government, alleging that the trend was similar to that of the previous administration. He called for "decent and development-oriented politics" and urged political leaders to avoid personal attacks while engaging in public criticism.

In a statement, the Speaker said Finance Minister N Marie Wilson would present the Revised Budget at 10 am on August 5 in the Assembly. A day later, Minister Vinoth will present the Agriculture Budget on August 6, Prabhakar added.

During the previous DMK regime, an interim Budget for 2026-27 was presented by the then finance minister Thangam Thennarasu on February 18, just a little over two months ahead of the Assembly polls.

In that, the government had projected the State's revenue receipts at Rs 3.44 lakh crore, while revenue expenditure was estimated at Rs 3.93 lakh crore, resulting in a projected revenue deficit of Rs 48,697 crore.

However, after assuming office, the TVK-led coalition government released a White Paper on the State's finances, which disputed these numbers.

According to the White Paper, Tamil Nadu's total debt had risen to Rs 13.18 lakh crore. It said the interim Budget estimates would increase the revenue deficit from Rs 48,697 crore to Rs 90,500 crore, while the fiscal deficit was expected to rise from Rs 1.22 lakh crore to Rs 1.64 lakh crore.

That is, with the State's maximum borrowing capacity estimated at Rs 1.52 lakh crore, Tamil Nadu could face a financing gap of around Rs 11,600 crore, it said.

Against this backdrop, the TVK government's revised Budget, its maiden fiscal exercise, is expected to outline its fiscal strategy, expenditure priorities and policy initiatives for the remainder of the financial year.

Noticing the minister at the temple, a few devotees approached him and raised concerns over being prevented from reaching the inner sanctum, with barricades being placed 20 feet away. Ramesh, minister for Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, reviewed plans to better manage visitor flow, suggesting the use of dedicated waiting areas for free darshan and ensuring a smoother path for devotees.

He emphasised that certain restrictions were necessary to manage large crowds safely and prevent emergencies, such as fainting or overcrowding.

On the traffic congestion, Ramesh said vehicles will be restricted from entering certain areas and pedestrians would be allowed free access at both the gates.

Addressing the issue of flower shops and vendors blocking public paths, he promised to organise a proper space for the vendors so that devotees visiting the temple were not hindered.

The case relates to the alleged fraudulent registration of a 1.40-acre property belonging to the Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple Trust, which had been functioning as a parking facility for devotees before it was allegedly registered in favour of private individuals for just Rs 2 crore.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, Shanmugam said the investigation should be carried out impartially and all those connected with the alleged fraud should face legal action.

Officials at every level must be held accountable

Speaking to reporters, Shanmugam alleged that officials from top to bottom were involved in the fraudulent registration of the temple property. "No matter how influential they are, everyone connected with the case should be arrested, prosecuted and punished," he said.

He alleged that the accused had suppressed details of earlier cases instead of placing them before the court, thereby facilitating the fraudulent registration of the land.

According to him, the manner in which the registration was carried out made it one of the biggest land scams reported in Tamil Nadu.

Seeks fair CB-CID investigation

Welcoming the transfer of the case to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID), the CPM leader said the probe should be conducted independently without any interference.

He, however, said there was no information at present to suggest the direct involvement of the State government or ministers. "We do not believe that the government or ministers are directly linked to this fraud because no such information has emerged so far. The available information points to officials in the Registration Department carrying out the registrations by using their own hand-picked personnel. Action should be taken based on the evidence collected during the investigation," he reiterated.

The CPM State secretary also added that HR&CE Minister Ramesh was personally monitoring the issue and had initiated stringent measures regarding the case.

Palani temple land fraud case background

The case pertains to the alleged fraudulent registration of 1.40 acres of land belonging to the Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple Trust in Palani, estimated to be worth around Rs 100 crore. The property, which had been used as a parking lot for devotees visiting the Palani Murugan Temple, was allegedly registered in favour of private individuals for Rs 2 crore.

Following a complaint by the temple administration, police registered a case against several persons, including Joint-II Sub-Registrar Justin Manikandan. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court later declared the registration null and void, after which the case was transferred to the CB-CID.

The investigating agency has since questioned several temple and revenue officials, collected digital records and CCTV footage from the Sub-Registrar's office, and is continuing its probe. Investigators are also expected to question the buyers and sellers involved in the transaction, while officials have indicated that further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.

The submission was made by the State during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by Radhakrishnan of Salem district, seeking directions to the authorities to recover and properly maintain the properties belonging to the Meenakshi Amman Temple and its subsidiary temples, restore the temple, and conduct the Kumbhabhishekam at the earliest.

The petition came up for hearing before a Division Bench comprising Justices CV Karthikeyan and Sakthivel.

Appearing for the State, the government counsel submitted that the drive to remove encroachments from temple properties was continuing.

The counsel also informed the court that the renovation works at the Veeravasantharayar Mandapam were nearing completion.

The work of establishing a new modern kitchen had already been awarded and would be completed by September 10.

The temple administration had decided to conduct the Kumbhabhishekam on September 17, the counsel added.

Counsel for the petitioner, however, contended that the encroachments had not been removed effectively and that the amounts identified for recovery in the audit report had still not been collected.

Recording the submissions, the High Court Bench adjourned the case to July 29.

The deceased were identified as Jayaraman, 85, a barber, and his wife, Amaravathi, 70, residents of the Ramappa Kottai area in Gundukal Panchayat.

Preliminary investigations revealed that unidentified persons entered the couple's house at around 8 pm. on Monday and attacked them with a wooden log, resulting in their deaths.

Police said the suspects fled after taking about one sovereign of gold jewellery, including a pair of ear studs and nose studs worn by Amaravathi.

The bodies were sent to the Omalur Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. Police have launched a search for the unidentified suspects, and further investigation is under way.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, police are investigating whether the crime was linked to the baby's gender or triggered by a family dispute.

The incident came to light on Monday (July 20), when a baby girl, who had been born only recently at the private hospital, was found dead under suspicious circumstances.

Hospital staff alert police

Hospital authorities initially believed the infant had died unexpectedly. However, while examining the body, they noticed injuries on the baby's neck and nose. The hospital immediately informed the police, who rushed to the facility and began an inquiry. The infant's body was recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

Grandmother arrested

During the preliminary investigation, police questioned family members and hospital staff. The inquiry allegedly revealed that the baby's grandmother, identified as Thangamani (47), had strangled the infant and pinched her nose, leading to her death. Based on this, the police arrested Thangamani and took her into custody for further questioning.

Police probe motive

One of the angles being investigated is whether the infant was killed because she was a girl. Police are also probing whether any dispute within the family may have led to the incident. Authorities said statements are being recorded from family members and others connected to the case. The post-mortem report is expected to provide further clarity on the sequence of events and the exact cause of death.

Despite his father facing health issues including diabetes and heart conditions, he was subjected to questioning that stretched out to 13-hours in the defamation case over a speech that lasted only for five minutes, he said.

“He was intimidated and threatened at gunpoint to deliver specific statements to suit the ruling party's political agenda,” Akshay claimed.

The Vilathikulam MLA was arrested by the police on Monday in an escalation of the tussle between the ruling TVK and main opposition DMK, for his purported "we will crush your bones" remark against Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

After questioning, the legislator was produced by police before a local court, which remanded him to 14-day judicial custody.

Speaking on the political controversy surrounding the arrest of Markandeyan by the Thoothukudi police, Akshay told reporters late on Monday night, invoking a metaphor to compare the legislative assembly members to a “brain” that controls the body.

“The assembly is the ‘gate’ or entry point to that 'brain'. The Chief Minister suggests that legislators should be closed or contained within the halls of the assembly. It is effectively an attempt to stop the ‘brain’ from functioning properly,” he said.

He claimed that by controlling the assembly in this manner, the ruling party was attempting to seize power over the legislative process to enforce its own agenda and actions, which Akshay suggested is a dangerous threat to the democratic process.

“The 13-hour interrogation was excessive and wrong because the original video of the speech that led to the defamation case was only five minutes long. Furthermore, my father is a patient suffering from diabetes and heart problems,” he said and added that his father was pressured at “gunpoint.”

Speaking to reporters, Thirunavukkarasar said alliance reshuffles after elections have been taking place in the State for over six decades and were nothing new. “Even today, the BJP has been splitting regional parties to secure a majority to form a government. Even factions within a party switch camps. It has become a new normal in politics,” he said.

However, he said parties that changed alliances after the polls should not attack the alliance they were part of until the elections. “Such criticism benefits no one. Political leaders should exercise restraint in their words,” he added.

Claiming that people had voted for change in the recently concluded elections, Thirunavukkarasar said public frustration with the DMK was reflected in the election results.

Outlining the government’s contingency strategy, the minister said the State was preparing to address any adverse impact on the farm sector and would approach the central government for financial support to strengthen the cooperative credit system if needed.

“If El Niño affects Tamil Nadu, we will seek financial assistance from the Centre. The cooperative sector may have to extend additional crop loans to farmers, and we are preparing for that eventuality,” Gandhiraj told reporters here. “The State government was planning to send a delegation to New Delhi, under the guidance of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, to meet the Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and senior officials and seek the necessary financial support well in advance,” said Gandhiraj.

“The visit is being planned as part of our preparations. We will present the State’s requirements and request funds to ensure that farmers receive timely assistance through cooperative institutions,” he said.

The minister said the government had already begun assessing the extent of paddy cultivation across Tamil Nadu to evaluate the agricultural situation and formulate appropriate interventions.

According to an official release, the meeting focused on resuming production at Ford’s manufacturing facility and the company’s plans to expand its Global Capability Centre (GCC) and manufacturing operations in the State.

The Chief Minister assured the Ford delegation that the State government would extend all necessary support for the company to restart production. He also urged the company to fully utilise its manufacturing facility at Maraimalai Nagar and proceed with its expansion plans at the earliest.

Industries Minister S Keerthana, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) S Vijayakumar, Guidance Tamil Nadu CEO Deepak Jacob, Ford Executive Director Simonetta Verdi and Ford India Plant Director Dheeraj Dixit participated in the meeting.

The government said Ford’s Global Capability Centre in Tamil Nadu has already generated around 12,000 jobs. It added that the company’s powertrain manufacturing project, involving an initial investment of Rs 3,250 crore, is expected to create more than 600 additional jobs.

Ford had shut down vehicle manufacturing at its Maraimalai Nagar plant in 2021. During the then Chief Minister MK Stalin’s visit to the United States in September 2024, the company submitted a Letter of Intent (LoI) expressing its interest in restarting manufacturing operations in Tamil Nadu.

The recruitment process had already come under scrutiny after some candidates alleged that the TRB had not properly evaluated the Part B section of the examination. They also pointed to alleged irregularities, including candidates whose hall tickets carried only registration numbers without names, and others with discrepancies in their dates of birth being allowed to write the exam.

While acknowledging that a few clerical errors had occurred inadvertently during the recruitment process, the TRB categorically denied any malpractice and maintained that the assistant professor recruitment examination had been transparently conducted. Despite the TRB’s clarification, a list circulated recently by some candidates claimed that several names had been repeated in the final results published by the TRB, gave rise to fresh allegations over the recruitment process. However, when contacted, the TRB officials denied the circulated list’s authenticity and expressed doubts over its origin.

A verification of the final results available on the Board’s official website also found that the names cited in the circulated document were not repeated in the official selection list. The verification suggests that the circulated document does not match the officially published results and appears to have been prepared by manipulating information available in the TRB’s records to create the impression that duplicate entries existed when, they did not.

Officials said the circulation of such a list appeared to be an attempt to fuel more doubts over the process. The episode also underscores how even minor clerical errors can erode candidates’ confidence and create opportunities for misinformation to gain traction. Recruitment agencies should ensure that even small administrative lapses are avoided so that candidates’ trust in the examination process does not get undermined.

A verification of the final results available on the TRB website also found that the names cited in the circulated document were not repeated

The organisation contends that the Bill, which seeks to adopt the complete Vande Mataram song from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel Anandamath as India's National Song, is inconsistent with the spirit of the Constitution.

In its appeal, SPCSS-TN distinguishes between the patriotic slogan "Vande Mataram," which played a significant role during India's freedom movement, and the full song from Anandamath, arguing that only the slogan gained nationwide acceptance.

The organisation states that the complete song portrays the nation through the imagery of a deity associated with a particular faith and does not explicitly refer to "India" or "Bharat" as recognised under Article 1 of the Constitution.

The platform further argues that making the full song the National Song could infringe upon the constitutional guarantees of liberty of thought, belief, faith and worship under the Preamble and Article 25. It also cites Article 13, which prohibits laws that abridge Fundamental Rights, and Article 51A (h), which promotes scientific temper and humanism.

The appeal urges parliamentarians to reject the Bill and safeguard the Constitution, its secular character, and the country's fundamental rights.

The prosecution alleged that Sathiya Naarayanan, while serving as the MLA for the T Nagar Assembly constituency between May 13, 2016, and March 17, 2021, amassed assets and pecuniary resources worth about Rs 9.44 crore in his name and his wife S Jayachitra's name, which were allegedly disproportionate to his known sources of income.

It further alleged that he failed to satisfactorily account for the assets, thereby committing offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Following the completion of the investigation, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) filed a final report, which was taken on file by the trial court.

Challenging the order taking cognisance, Sathiya Naarayanan and Jayachitra filed a petition before the Madras High Court.

When the matter came up for hearing before Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan, counsel for the petitioners contended that the trial court had taken cognisance without allowing them to be heard, as mandated under Section 223(1) of the BNSS. The counsel further argued that the cognisance order was a non-speaking one and had been passed mechanically without assigning any reasons.

After hearing the matter, the judge held that the cognisance order dated February 11, 2026, passed by the Principal Sessions Court for the Trial of Cases relating to MPs and MLAs in Tamil Nadu, Chennai, could not be sustained and was liable to be set aside.

The High Court remanded the matter to the Special Court for MPs and MLAs in Chennai, directing it to pass a reasoned order on taking cognisance and proceed in accordance with law within a week. The connected criminal miscellaneous petitions were consequently closed.