The deceased, identified as Samburnam from Kamarajar Nagar in Tiruchengode, was alone when two men entered her house and attempted to snatch her five sovereigns of gold chain. As she cried out for help, the duo slit her throat with a knife and took away the gold chain and her two sovereigns of earrings.

By then, Samburnam’s son Subramanian (50), an astrologer, arrived home and was shocked to find his mother lying dead in a pool of blood. The assailants also attacked him with some sharp weapons and fled away from the spot on a two-wheeler.

On hearing his loud screams, the neighbours rushed to his rescue and informed Veppadai police. A team of police soon arrived and admitted a critically injured Subramanian at Pallipalayam Government Hospital. He was then shifted to a private hospital for further treatment. The body of the deceased woman was sent for post-mortem at Pallipalayam GH.

Namakkal district Superintendent of Police Yadav Girish Ashok visited the scene of crime. A sniffer dog and fingerprint experts were pressed into service. Police are scrutinising CCTV footage from the neighbourhood to track down the culprits.

This incident comes a week after an elderly couple was murdered for one sovereign of a gold jewel in Omalur near Salem.

According to the latest data released by the Directorate of Elementary Education, as many as 2,94,209 students have been enrolled in Class 1, making it the largest share of fresh admissions. Officials said this reflects the continued focus on ensuring access to primary education and encouraging parents to enrol children in government schools at the beginning of their academic journey.

The report also shows that 41,231 children have been admitted to Lower Kindergarten (LKG) and Upper Kindergarten (UKG) Classes. The enrolment at the pre-primary level is expected to strengthen the transition of children into formal schooling and improve foundational learning outcomes.

Meanwhile, 88,515 students have secured admissions in Classes 2 to 8, indicating that a significant number of children have either transferred from other institutions, including private schools or joined government schools during the current academic year.

The enrollment figures come amid the state government's sustained efforts to strengthen public education through infrastructure development, enhanced learning facilities, teacher recruitment, and student welfare initiatives. Schemes such as free textbooks, uniforms, school bags, notebooks, nutritious mid-day meals, and transport support continue to play a crucial role in attracting and retaining students in government schools.

Education department officials are expected to continue special enrolment campaigns in the coming weeks to ensure that every eligible child is brought into the school system before the admission process concludes. The government has consistently emphasised that increasing enrolment, reducing dropouts, and improving foundational literacy and numeracy remain key priorities for the state's school education sector.

"If Rahul Gandhi says the Karnataka government should not build the Mekedatu dam, we are ready to walk out of the NDA," Anbumani said.

He also opposed reports that Chief Minister Vijay may visit Karnataka for talks on the proposed Mekedatu dam project, saying such a move would weaken Tamil Nadu's long-standing stance against the project.

Speaking to reporters at Chennai airport, Anbumani said Tamil Nadu has never accepted the Mekedatu project and there was no need to hold discussions with the Karnataka government on the issue.

"If the Chief Minister visits Karnataka and meets the Karnataka Chief Minister over the Mekedatu issue, it will be a major setback for Tamil Nadu," he said.

Instead, he urged the State government to take up the matter with the Centre and the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, rather than holding talks with the Karnataka government.

Anbumani alleged that Karnataka had failed to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu despite directions from the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee. "If Karnataka is not releasing water now, the situation will only worsen if the Mekedatu dam is constructed," he said.

The PMK leader also criticised the Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, alleging that the minister had provided incorrect information in Parliament by stating that the Supreme Court had ruled Karnataka did not require Tamil Nadu's consent to construct the Mekedatu dam.

He said Rajya Sabha MPs from Tamil Nadu should seek action against the Union Minister for allegedly furnishing false information in Parliament.

Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Anbumani questioned why the Congress had not opposed the Mekedatu project, which he said would affect thousands of acres in Tamil Nadu.

The association said thousands of employees and their family members would stage a hunger strike outside senior regional manager offices in Chennai, Salem, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchy a day before the Assembly session begins.

It also warned of an indefinite strike if the government went ahead with privatisation without addressing workers' concerns.

The protest has been planned after DT Next reported the TVK government decision to privatise Tasmac outlets in urban local bodies and municipalities. It is likely that necessary legal amendments on Prohibition and Excise Act will be tabled in the ensuing Assembly Session, sources had told this paper.

"If a decision on privatisation is taken without considering the workers, Tasmac shops across Tamil Nadu will not operate," said Ku Bharathi, president of the Tamil Nadu Tasmac Salesperson Welfare Association.

The association said around 23,000 employees currently work in Tasmac, down from about 36,000 in 2003, and alleged that workers who have spent more than two decades in the corporation remain on contract without regularisation.

The AITUC-affiliated Tamil Nadu Tasmac Employees Union also opposed the proposed move. Rejecting the reasons cited in favour of privatisation, such as improving quality or removing the government from liquor retail, its State president Periyasamy N said government oversight offered at least a measure of regulation over production and retail, whereas monitoring private operators would be far more difficult.

He also defended Tamil Nadu's government-run liquor retail model, saying it was introduced to prevent private syndicates from dominating the liquor trade and generating what he described as "non-productive money." Rather than privatising retail sales, he urged the government to retain control over the entire supply chain from production to distribution and gradually pursue prohibition through sustained awareness campaigns.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was told by additional advocate general for Tamil Nadu, Hairpriya Padmanabhan, that the government has appointed a special public prosecutor (SPP) to conduct the trial against the former minister, and if the need arises, it is willing to appoint an additional public prosecutor (APP) for expeditious disposal of the case.

Advocate Pranav Sachdeva, appearing for one Y Balaji, said that the main issue was not the appointment of SPP or APP, but the clubbing of cases related to the scam, as they have named more than 2,000 accused in the matter to delay the proceedings.

The bench said it would hear the matter in detail on August 11.

The top court was hearing a petition filed by Y Balaji, challenging the Madras High Court order of March 28, 2025, which dismissed pleas against the clubbing of multiple chargesheets in cases related to the alleged scam.

On July 30, 2025, the top court termed the trial involving Senthilbalaji a “rudderless ship” and observed that a cricket stadium would be required to conduct prosecution in the cases with over 2,000 persons as accused.

It had pulled up the then DMK government in the state for implicating so many persons as accused. The court had said it appears to be the most populated trial in India with 2,000 people.

It had told the counsel representing the state government that besides the former minister and officials who are prime accused, the other 2,000 persons arrayed as accused technically have committed a crime by giving a bribe but on a comparative analysis, they are more of a victim than an accused.

Balaji had resigned from the MK Stalin-led state cabinet on April 27, 2025, after being pulled up by the top court.

Across the coffee-growing belts of Bodinayakanur, Periyakulam, Kurangani, Top Station, Bodimettu and adjoining hill villages, farmers say the season has unfolded unlike any other. The summer showers that normally trigger flowering in April and May failed to arrive in sufficient measure, while soaring temperatures have scorched flowers and caused tender berries to fall before they could mature. Farmers also fear reduced overall bean size and lower crop yields.

Growers attribute the setback to El Niño, which they say has weakened the southwest monsoon and prolonged dry conditions in the region. With little moisture in the soil, even new planting has come to a halt.

Coffee is cultivated on around 8,000 acres in the district’s hill tracts, where flowering in summer is followed by fruit setting during June and July before harvesting begins in October. This year, however, farmers fear that the disrupted crop cycle will lead to lower yields and reduced incomes. “Flowers have withered, and young berries are dropping because of the heat. If the rains continue to fail, the harvest will be far below normal,” growers said.

Apart from the expected decline in production, the dry spell has also delayed the planting of fresh saplings, raising concerns that the impact of this season’s weather could extend well beyond the current crop.

"Flowers have withered, and young berries are dropping because of the heat. If rains continue to deceive, harvest will be far below than previous years" said the coffee growers.

The Class 8 student from Saruthupatti near Periyakulam has remained in a coma since being referred to the Theni Government Medical College Hospital after treatment at the Periyakulam Government Hospital, where he was initially admitted on June 2 with respiratory illness and severe cold.

According to his family, doctors at the Periyakulam hospital advised a procedure after diagnosing a nasal growth. They alleged wrong treatment by doctors.

According to police, the bus was travelling from Tiruchendur to Kumuli when the accident occurred around 1 pm on the Thoothukudi-Madurai National Highway. A van attempting to cross the road from the Vilathikulam side suddenly entered the bus’s path, leading to the mishap.

"At present, OPS has no plans to join TVK as he is a sitting MLA. However, his son, former MP OP Ravindranath, is keen to join the ruling party, keeping the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in mind. However, TVK leadership wants OPS to join along with his son. Therefore, the family is yet to take a final decision," a close associate of OPS told DT Next.

A few months before the recently concluded Assembly election, OPS joined the then-ruling DMK and contested from Bodinayakanur as a DMK candidate. Following the election, DMK moved to the Opposition benches, and OPS was not given any party post.

This fuelled speculation that the former CM, reportedly unhappy with developments, was planning to switch to TVK. However, OPS dismissed the reports.

Sources in DMK pointed out that OPS recently participated virtually in the meeting of the party's MLAs chaired by the Leader of the Opposition.

"Had he decided to quit the party or make any major political move, he might have skipped the meeting. Instead, he participated actively," a DMK source said.

While OPS is yet to indicate any intention to leave the DMK, sources said his son Ravindranath continues to be keen on joining TVK.

Confirming the development, PMK MLA A Ganeshkumar told DT Next that the Assembly Secretariat had allotted the room following a request made by the party's floor leader, Sowmiya Anbumani.

"Yes, the Assembly Secretariat has allotted us a separate room based on the request submitted by our floor leader," he said.

According to Public Works Department (PWD) officials, the room was carved out from the existing women MLAs' rest room to accommodate the PMK, thereby reducing the space available for women members.

Meanwhile, Premalatha Vijayakant, the lone DMDK MLA, has also sought a separate room for her party in the Assembly complex. However, her request is yet to be cleared.

Room allocation has emerged as a tricky issue since the constitution of the 17th Tamil Nadu Assembly. Besides the two major parties, the DMK and the AIADMK, the Secretariat has also been compelled to provide separate space to smaller parties with single-digit strength.

The demand was first raised by the Congress, an ally of the ruling TVK. The request was accepted, and the party was allotted a separate room, despite its two Ministers already having individual offices. The room will be used by the party's three other MLAs.

Following the Congress, the PMK also sought a room. After Sowmiya Anbumani submitted a representation to the Speaker, and based on the recommendation of the TVK-led government, the Assembly Secretariat allotted the space to the party.

HOUSE STRENGTH

TVK - 106

INC - 5

CPM - 2

CPI - 2

VCK - 2

IUML - 2

AMMK - 1

DMK - 59

DMDK - 1

AIADMK - 41

PMK - 4

BJP - 1

Speaker

Vacant - 7 seats

The renovation has necessitated the immediate relocation of sections of the Home, Registration, Commercial Taxes, and Tamil Development Departments, creating a major challenge for the Public Department in identifying suitable alternative accommodation within the Secretariat complex.

According to officials, Secretary to the Public Department E Sundaravalli and Deputy Secretary Srutanjay Narayanan inspected various departments at Fort St George on Thursday to identify vacant office space for relocating the affected sections.

"The officials inspected several departments in search of additional accommodation within the Secretariat complex. However, they could not identify any large vacant space to accommodate the sections that have to be shifted," a Secretariat official said.

The Public Department has been asked to vacate the sections functioning on the 10th floor at the earliest to facilitate the renovation work.

Officials said the space constraints have complicated the relocation exercise, as most buildings within the Secretariat are already functioning at full capacity. The government is now exploring various options to accommodate the displaced sections without affecting the day-to-day functioning of departments.

It may be noted that the Tamil Nadu Secretariat Association has opposed the proposed shifting of the Chief Minister's Office to NKM, alleging that the move would disrupt the functioning of key departments and affect Budget preparations. The association urged the government to ensure adequate infrastructure and workspace at the new locations before relocating offices and staff.

Coimbatore Collector Pavan Kumar G Giriyappanavar ordered the closure of the quarries following inspections by officials from the Department of Geology and Mining, which found violations of prescribed norms.

The action came after farmer P Muruganandam staged a hunger strike at his residence, demanding action against stone quarries in his neighbourhood over violations. He withdrew his protest on Wednesday after the authorities initiated action against the units.

Meanwhile, workers who arrived at the quarries as usual on Thursday morning were told that operations had been suspended. Following this, they gathered near Kinathukadavu to voice their concerns. Police and revenue officials reached the spot and held discussions with the workers.

The workers said nearly 500 labourers from the Coimbatore, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem and Erode districts depended on these quarries for their livelihoods and had been rendered jobless following the closure.

They submitted petitions to the authorities, requesting the lifting of the closure order and immediate steps to restore their employment. Officials assured them that their concerns would be conveyed to the district administration for further consideration.

Association founder and state president SA Ponnusamy, accompanied by office-bearers, met Milk and Dairy Development Minister C Vijayalakshmi at the Secretariat and submitted a detailed memorandum. The minister assured the delegation that the demands were already under the government's consideration and would be discussed with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay before an appropriate decision is taken.

The association sought a Rs 10 per litre increase in Aavin's milk procurement price to encourage dairy farmers and improve procurement, besides raising the commission paid to Aavin milk dealers from the present maximum of Rs 2 per litre to Rs 5 per litre, pointing out that it has remained unchanged for nearly 15 years.

They also urged the government to revive the free milch cattle distribution scheme introduced during the AIADMK regime and launch subsidised cattle feed to increase milk production. It further sought periodic revision of Aavin's procurement and retail prices, in line with cooperative dairy federations in neighbouring states, to ensure financial sustainability and offset mounting operational losses.

The association alleged that inadequate procurement price revisions since 2022, reduction in Aavin's retail price without adequate government subsidy, and discontinuation of key support schemes under the previous DMK government had weakened the cooperative, reduced daily procurement from about 38.26 lakh litres to nearly 25 lakh litres, resulting in recurring shortages, particularly of the popular Green Magic milk.

"The government must act on a war footing to increase milk production, strengthen Aavin, ensure uninterrupted supply and safeguard the livelihood of over 30 lakh families dependent on dairy farming and milk distribution," Ponnusamy told reporters here.

Police said an unidentified man was found dead with cut injuries in a vacant land along the border of the Perumbakkam and Thazhambur police station limits around 8 pm. Residents alerted the Perumbakkam police, who visited the spot but reportedly said the location fell within the Thazhambur police limits. When the Thazhambur police arrived, they, too, claimed the spot was outside their jurisdiction.

As a result, the body remained at the ground for hours, causing concern among residents. Later, senior officers from the Tambaram City Police, led by the Pallikaranai Deputy Commissioner of Police, inspected the spot.

As the exact jurisdiction remained unclear, officials sought assistance from the Revenue Department. After midnight, revenue officials and VAOs arrived with boundary maps and conducted a field survey using measuring tapes. They confirmed that the spot fell under the jurisdiction of the Thazhambur police station.

Following this, Thazhambur police registered a case, recovered the body and sent it to the Tambaram GH for a post-mortem.

The deceased was identified as Bahadur (34), a Nepali national working as a construction labourer in the locality. Bahadur had misbehaved with a woman a few days ago and was assaulted by a few of her relatives. He was admitted to Perumbakkam GH before being discharged. He was later found dead under suspicious circumstances in the vacant land. Thazhambur police have registered a case under suspicious death. Further investigation is on to find the exact cause of death.

The Minister told reporters here that the proposed panel would examine grievances related to school fees and ensure greater transparency.

"Several important announcements are expected during the upcoming budget as detailed studies were conducted on adoption of modern technology in classrooms. The government plans to introduce a dedicated computer science subject for students from Class 6 onwards. Steps are also being taken to improve the maintenance of toilets and other basic facilities in government schools," he said.

Rajmohan said enrolment in government schools has increased this academic year compared to the previous year as more parents are showing interest in enrolling their children in government primary schools due to improvements in the public education system.

"The department is also identifying students who have discontinued their education and taking steps to bring them back into schools," he said.

Police have registered a case against 19 persons, alleging that they conspired to secure patta transfer and property registration through fraudulent means. One of the accused, Ilayaraja, who allegedly acted as a power agent, filed a writ petition before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court seeking a writ of mandamus directing the Madurai Corporation to survey and demarcate the property's boundaries.

In the petition, it was claimed that the property originally belonged to Dakshinamoorthy Durairaja Pallavarayar, who died in 1930 without any legal heirs, and that ownership was subsequently claimed through the heirs of Vellaichamy Pallavarayar, a Class-II legal heir who died in 1992, police sources said.

A legal heir certificate issued by the Karambakudi Tahsildar in Pudukkottai district in 2023 was cited as a key document in support of the claim before the Court. The CCB considered it important to examine the validity of the legal heir certificate issued by the Karambakudi Tehsildar. Hence, it has sent a communication seeking detailed information from the Pudukkottai district revenue authorities, including the basis on which the legal heir certificate was issued, the supporting documents relied upon, and the nature of the inquiry conducted by the revenue department before issuing the certificate.

Police have also sought copies of all records related to the issuance of the certificate, including the documents submitted, revenue records, and any prior court orders relating to the property.

The certificate listed Ramayee Ayeyar, Senthamizh Selvi, Prema, Rajkumar, Muthurani, Rajendran, Kuzhandhaiya, Pushparaj, Jothi and Geetha as the legal heirs of Vellaichamy Pallavarayar.

In an order passed in June 2026, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recorded the petitioners' claim that they were the legal heirs of Vellaichamy Pallavarayar based on the legal heir certificate issued by the Tahsildar, Karambakudi, but did not examine or certify its validity. The Court directed the surveyor to conduct a survey and fix the property's boundaries after issuing notice to the petitioners, all legal heirs, rival claimants, if any, and adjoining landowners.

The High Court made it clear that the survey must follow due process, be completed within 12 weeks, and that police protection may be sought if required.

According to data tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, road accidents in Tamil Nadu claimed 10,298 lives and left 49,308 people injured during the period. While the State ranked second in fatalities after Uttar Pradesh, it continued to account for the largest number of crashes in the country.

Pedestrian safety continued to remain a major concern in Tamil Nadu, recording 2,328 fatalities and 7,240 injuries up to July 27 this year, second highest in the country, after Uttarakhand with 4,430 pedestrian deaths. In 2025, 4,472 pedestrians died, 13,530 were injured.

Tamil Nadu also continued to report the highest number of National Highway accidents, recording 11,575 crashes that claimed 3,520 lives up to July 27. In 2025, it had reported 21,537 NH accidents and 6,413 fatalities.

The Centre attributed accidents to primarily human error, road conditions, and vehicle-related factors, with over-speeding continuing to be the leading cause of crashes. Driver distraction was also a major contributor, while only 100 road accidents across the country were directly attributed to potholes.

Measures being taken to reduce accidents: Minister Gadkari

Across the country, 2,96,447 road accidents were reported up to July 27 this year, claiming 1,01,139 lives and leaving 3,38,725 people injured.

Madhya Pradesh reported the second-highest number of road accidents at 34,947, followed by Kerala (29,494), Uttar Pradesh (26,718), and Karnataka (24,929). In terms of fatalities, Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 14,794 deaths, followed by Tamil Nadu (10,298), Maharashtra (9,279), Madhya Pradesh (8,098), and Rajasthan (6,893).

The trend mirrors that of 2025, when Tamil Nadu recorded the country's highest number of road accidents at 71,195, resulting in 18,511 deaths, which is the second highest. Uttar Pradesh, despite reporting fewer accidents at 49,675, registered the highest fatality count at 27,547. Maharashtra is ranked third with 16,759 deaths, followed by Madhya Pradesh that reported 14,841 deaths.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said the ministry had identified 6,358 accident-prone "black corridors" on National Highways using AI-based tools developed by IIT Kanpur to improve road safety. Both short-term measures, including improved road markings, signage, crash barriers and highway lighting, and long-term interventions such as junction improvements, road widening, underpasses and overpasses, are being implemented to reduce accidents and fatalities, he said.

Replying to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, Minister Gadkari said construction of the 25.5-km Arakkonam-Kancheepuram package has remained suspended since May 2025 after the concessionaire stopped work citing financial constraints.

Though the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) initiated action to terminate the contract, the Madras High Court directed it to maintain status quo, with the matter now awaiting a verdict. Senior lenders have, meanwhile, initiated the process of replacing the concessionaire.

The minister said 7 of the 10 packages of the 261.7-km access-controlled expressway have been completed or are substantially ready. The Karnataka portion has been largely completed, while Andhra Pradesh has only one package left, which is expected to be completed by October this year.

Apart from the contractor dispute, Gadkari said delays in land acquisition, shifting of electrical utilities, Extra High Tension (EHT) transmission towers, railway power blocks, and relocation of railway switching posts affected progress across all four packages in Tamil Nadu.

Most of these issues have since been resolved, except the shifting of EHT towers belonging to Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd and Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation (Tantransco), for which line closure approval from the State utility is still awaited.

The adjoining Walajahpet-Arakkonam section is expected to be completed by the end of August, while the Kancheepuram-Sriperumbudur stretch, where work has reached nearly 90%, is targeted for completion by the end of October.

The Centre said the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway is being implemented with 100% central government funding and is expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve freight movement between Bengaluru and Chennai once the remaining bottlenecks are cleared.

According to a circular issued by the State police chief on July 30, the integration of MedLEaPR with CCTNS 2.0 will enable electronic exchange of medico-legal case and post-mortem reports between police and government hospitals, eliminating paperwork, and improving transparency and efficiency in investigations.

The system has already been rolled out in all government medical college hospitals and district government hospitals. Police officers can now submit medical memo and post-mortem requisitions directly through CCTNS 2.0 and receive reports through the same platform.

From August 1, government hospitals will begin sending Rukka (Accident Register/Hospital Intimation) electronically through MedLEaPR. Injury reports or wound certificates will also be generated digitally for all cases registered from August 1 onwards, while older cases will continue under the existing procedure. Other reports that can be generated through the platform include age estimation reports, prisoner screening reports, and screening reports relating to sexual abuse victims and accused.

The circular instructs all Commissioners of Police, SPs and heads of special units to ensure that all medico-legal and post-mortem requisitions are generated only through CCTNS 2.0. Manual paper submissions have been discouraged except in exceptional circumstances, with reasons to be recorded in writing.

Investigating officers have also been directed to regularly monitor the status of requisitions and reports through the system, while dedicated personnel will be designated at every police station to handle Rukka intimations received from hospitals.

The police chief has also ordered the creation of dedicated WhatsApp groups involving police officers, hospital authorities and forensic officials to facilitate quick coordination and resolution of implementation issues. The rollout of MedLEaPR will also become a standing agenda item in district law and order meetings chaired by District Collectors with medical officials.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate dispatched at least 14 parcels since April 2026, indicating the existence of a well-organised and sustained interstate drug trafficking network, the NCB said.

The NCB seized 2,796 LSD blots worth about Rs 1 crore; 225 of them were intended for distribution in Kodaikanal. The narcotics bureau has also launched a search for two persons managing guest houses and facilitating the drug trade in Kodaikanal.

The investigation commenced with the seizure of LSD blots in Chennai a few weeks ago; the supply chain probe revealed that parcels containing LSD were being dispatched from Pune to various parts of the country through courier services.

"Based on sustained intelligence and technical surveillance, NCB officers conducted a week-long coordinated operation in Chennai, Kanniyakumari and Pune. The operation resulted in the arrest of a key syndicate member responsible for receiving, repackaging and dispatching LSD consignments to customers across multiple States," the NCB stated in an official release.

Subsequent searches led to the recovery of substantial quantities of LSD and other narcotic substances from the residence of the accused.

Further investigation resulted in the seizure of two parcels destined for Tamil Nadu and the arrest of three accused — included a medical student and a doctor — the NCB said.

Apart from LSD, NCB officers also seized 166 grams of hydroponic ganja, 113 nitrazepam tablets and Rs 70,000 cash, suspected to be proceeds of illicit drug trafficking.

The investigation has further revealed that the narcotic substances trafficked by the syndicate were sourced through a darknet marketplace, where a vendor operating a dedicated personalised vendor storefront was offering LSD for sale to buyers across India.

The vendor accepted payments in Monero (XMR), a privacy-oriented cryptocurrency specifically designed to obscure transaction trails, in order to dodge financial tracing and conceal the movement of illicit proceeds.

Efforts are underway to establish the identity of the operator behind the darknet vendor profile and to trace the associated cryptocurrency transactions, the NCB said. Investigations to identify the entire supply chain and apprehend all remaining members of the syndicate are also ongoing, it noted.

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a powerful, synthetic mind-altering substance commonly known as "acid" and is frequently concealed inside documents, books, greeting cards and similar articles to evade detection by law enforcement.

Speaking to reporters at Chennai airport after arriving from New Delhi, Tagore said Rahul Gandhi would attend the valedictory function of the Congress training camp for district presidents and office-bearers being held at Mamallapuram. He said the detailed itinerary of Rahul Gandhi's visit would be announced on Friday.

When asked whether Rahul Gandhi would meet Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, Tagore said Rahul Gandhi was coming to Chennai only to participate in the Congress programme and address the party's 74 district presidents, indicating that no meeting with the Chief Minister was scheduled.

Tagore also launched a sharp attack on PMK president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss over his criticism of the Congress on the Mekedatu dam issue.

He challenged Anbumani to raise the issue directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead of targeting Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. "If Anbumani has the courage, he should tell the Prime Minister in Delhi that he will quit the NDA if the Centre supports the Mekedatu dam project. Speaking aggressively in Tamil in Chennai alone is not enough," he said.

Tagore said Rahul Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition, had no executive authority over the Mekedatu project and questioned why Anbumani expected him to intervene instead of pressing the Union government.

Responding to criticism over reports that Chief Minister Joseph Vijay may hold talks with the Karnataka Chief Minister on the issue, Tagore said there was nothing wrong with such discussions. He noted that former Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers M G Ramachandran, M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa had also held talks with their Karnataka counterparts on the Cauvery issue in the past.

He further said the Congress opposed Karnataka's attempt to construct the Mekedatu dam, but added that the issue ultimately required a decision involving the Karnataka Chief Minister, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the Prime Minister.

Tagore warned Anbumani against repeatedly targeting Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, alleging that he was avoiding criticism of the BJP despite being part of the NDA.

"If Anbumani continues to drag Rahul Gandhi and the Congress into unnecessary controversies, we will give a fitting reply and reveal several facts. We are not afraid of his statements," Tagore said.

When reporters again asked whether Rahul Gandhi would meet Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, Tagore reiterated that the Congress leader's visit was solely for party programmes and described it as an internal Congress event.

Tamil Nadu has 181 Government Arts and Science Colleges and seven Government Colleges of Education. Of these, over 125 institutions have been functioning without regular principals, with senior professors holding additional charge for several years due to the absence of appointments.

The prolonged vacancies have affected academic administration and delayed key administrative and academic decisions in many colleges.

The appointment process gathered pace after the Madras High Court vacated the stay in cases related to the seniority of professors, paving the way for promotions.

The Higher Education Department has now issued a Government Order approving the promotion of 129 Associate Professors as Grade II Principals.

The promoted Associate Professors will soon be called for counselling to choose their postings.

Following the completion of the counselling process, more than 100 Government Arts and Science Colleges are expected to have regular principals, bringing an end to the long-standing leadership vacancies in these institutions.

"The gang converted a lathe into a small laboratory and manufactured methamphetamine under the guidance of senior peddlers from Chennai, Kerala and Vellore. Their primary target was the youth," G Chandeesh, Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram, told DT Next.

Shakul Hameed of Mannadi in Chennai and Zakir Hussain of Ilayangudi are under police interrogation. Shakul Hameed played an active role in distributing methamphetamine, while Zakir Hussain from Ilayangudi was involved in cooking meth, the official said.

The gang allegedly produced between four and five kilograms of methamphetamine every month. Besides targeting youth in the southern districts, the gang also used a dedicated private messaging application to coordinate its operations, which allegedly involved persons from Kerala and Sri Lanka.

Acting on credible information, the Kenikkarai Police Sub-Inspector conducted a surprise raid in Bharathi Nagar on 24th July and arrested two alleged drug peddlers, Sakthivel (23) and Kalanithi (23), both from Ramanathapuram. Police seized 11 grams of methamphetamine from them, and they were remanded in judicial custody.

Subsequently, on July 28, the Bazaar police arrested three persons — Mohammed Umarul Jamin (22) and Mohammed Aslam (22), both of Karikootam, and Jebis (25) of Kannanur in Kanniyakumari district. During interrogation, the accused revealed that they had procured the methamphetamine from the Ilayangudi area. Based on the information, a special police team detained four persons Sikkandar Bathusha (53), Sheikh Mohammed (38), Jamal Moideeen (65) and Habeebur Rahman (52), all from Ilayangudi and seized 700 grams of methamphetamine. They were remanded on July 28.

Besides methamphetamine, the police seized polyethene raw material used for preparing packets to store the drug and five kilograms of iodine allegedly used in its manufacture. "Some of the materials used in manufacturing the drug were procured online using a pharmaceutical license," a police source said, adding that investigators also recovered precision weighing instruments and packing materials from the motorbikes allegedly used to distribute the drug.

A First Bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan ordered notice to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Secretary, the State Chief Secretary, and the Secretary to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. The matter was adjourned for two weeks.

Krishnamurthy, who is also the party whip, moved the court contending that a clause seeking a fresh tribunal under Section 4 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, was added without following due procedure.

In his plea, the former minister stated that the original resolution circulated to MLAs on June 18, 2026, did not contain this demand. He argued that the additional clause was neither formally moved, seconded, debated, nor put to vote under Assembly rules.

He further pointed out that despite objections from AIADMK, PMK, and CPI members, the amended resolution was recorded and sent to the Union Government as passed unanimously on June 19, 2026.

The petitioner sought to quash the inserted portion and declare only the original resolution valid. He also requested a direction to the Legislative Secretary to recall the amended communication sent to the Centre and replace it with the original version.

In a statement, DMK president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin said the agitation would be led by Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin in Thanjavur district.

The protest would press for effective steps to safeguard Tamil Nadu's Cauvery rights, a special relief package for Delta farmers, and action on other farmers' issues.

Stalin said farmers in the Delta districts could not take up kuruvai cultivation because water was not released from the Mettur dam on the scheduled date of June 12 due to low storage levels and Karnataka's failure to release its monthly share of Cauvery water as per the final Cauvery Tribunal award.

Alleging that farmers were facing a severe drought, he said they were disappointed over the government's failure to waive farm loans in full.

He also accused the ruling TVK government of adopting a lethargic approach to the Mekedatu dam issue and criticised it for delaying an all-party meeting despite demands from various parties, including its allies.

Stalin further alleged that the government had betrayed farmers and warned that if the Vijay-led government failed to address their concerns, it would face bigger agitations.

The protest coincides with the proposed meeting between the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka on the Cauvery dispute, scheduled for August 3.

Across north coastal Tamil Nadu, the delta districts, Puducherry, and the Karaikal region, scattered light-to-moderate showers with gusty winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour are expected to continue till August 1.

The rainfall activity is driven by a feeble trough persisting along and off the Tamil Nadu coast in the lower tropospheric levels.

Heavy rainfall alongside gusty winds are likely at isolated places in the Nilgiris, Theni, Kanniyakumari, and the Ghat regions of Coimbatore and Tirunelveli over the next couple of days. Isolated light rain accompanied by thunderstorms is expected across the remainder of Tamil Nadu until August 1.

On August 2, moderate rain is forecasted for isolated areas in the Western Ghats districts, while light showers will persist in other parts of the State, Puducherry, and Karaikal. From August 3 to August 5, light to moderate rainfall will continue in north coastal Tamil Nadu, the delta region, and the Western Ghats, with light rain expected elsewhere.

The maximum temperature in interior Tamil Nadu is likely to remain 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal on Friday, while the rest of the region will experience near-normal temperatures till August 5. In Chennai, the maximum temperature is expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius, while the minimum will be 26 degrees Celsius.

Madurai Airport recorded the highest maximum temperature in Tamil Nadu at 39 degrees Celsius, whereas Udhagamandalam recorded the lowest minimum at 12.8 degrees Celsius on Friday.

In a representation submitted to the Transport Department and the managements of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), State Express Transport Corporation (SETC), and various State Transport Corporation divisions, the Tamil Nadu Arasu Pokkuvarathu Kazhaga Stop Corruption Thozhirsanga Peravai sought immediate intervention to evolve a mechanism to ensure buses in operation are not attached for recovery proceedings.

The union said the demand was prompted by a recent incident in which a State transport bus bound for Madurai was reportedly seized midway on its scheduled trip due to non-payment of a court-ordered amount. The action forced all passengers, including women, children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, to alight despite having paid the full fare.

The union cited a recent incident where a government bound for Madurai was seized midway due to non-payment of a court-ordered amount, and passengers were forced to alight

According to the representation, the incident caused immense inconvenience and mental agony to passengers, particularly those travelling for medical treatment and other essential purposes. It also said such incidents tarnish the reputation and credibility of the State Transport Corporations.

The union further pointed out that the driver and conductor were left to face the anger of passengers despite having no role in the corporation's financial disputes or its failure to comply with court directions.

The union said transport corporations should ensure timely compliance with court directives so that buses carrying passengers are not subjected to seizure during service.

It urged the government to frame clear guidelines allowing decree holders to enforce court orders through alternative measures and to establish a monitoring committee to track pending execution proceedings and ensure prompt compliance, thereby preventing recurrence of such incidents.

Reviewing the hospital's 'NalamAI' digital registration system, the minister sought details from officials on delays faced by patients and directed them to deploy adequate personnel to guide visitors through the application, ensuring quicker registration and reduced waiting time. He later inspected the outpatient and neurology departments, scrutinised treatment records and interacted with patients to assess the quality of medical services being delivered.

During the inspection, doctors informed the minister that the existing toilet facilities in the outpatient block were inadequate to meet patient demand. Arunraj said the matter would be taken up with the Public Works Department and instructed authorities to ensure that the toilets were maintained in a clean and hygienic condition. He also directed officials to immediately facilitate a Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme card for a patient who sought assistance.

The minister later reviewed the construction of the children's super-speciality hospital coming up on the Guindy King Institute campus. Spread across 6.5 acres, the facility will house emergency, trauma, radiology, outpatient, intensive care, surgical, and inpatient units, as well as hostels and residential quarters. He directed the contractor to maintain quality norms and complete the project on schedule.

Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore, the minister said the proposed panel would examine grievances related to school fees and ensure greater transparency in the functioning of educational institutions.

“Several important announcements for students are expected during the upcoming budget as detailed studies were conducted on adoption of modern technology in classrooms. As part of these initiatives, the government plans to introduce a dedicated computer science subject for students from Class 6 onwards. Steps are also being taken to improve the maintenance of toilets and other basic facilities in government schools,” he said.

Rajmohan said enrolment in government schools has increased this academic year compared to the previous year, as more parents are enrolling their children in government primary schools due to improvements in the public education system. “The department is also identifying students who have discontinued their education and taking steps to bring them back into schools,” he said.

Responding to questions about Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s proposed visit to Karnataka in connection with the Mekedatu dam dispute, Rajmohan said only the Chief Minister’s Office would release official information regarding the visit and reports from other sources should not be considered authentic.

In a statement, TVK said the DMK was speaking as though the Mekedatu issue had surfaced only after the party assumed office. "If that is the case, the DMK itself is admitting who was asleep when the issue demanded attention," it said.

The party also accused the DMK leadership of behaving as if it were still in power despite being voted out by the people. "Claiming the moral high ground after losing office only shows how disconnected the DMK leadership is from political reality," the statement said.

TVK said the people would not have relegated the DMK to the Opposition had it acted decisively on issues concerning Tamil Nadu while it was in power. It alleged that the party's criticism stemmed from its inability to come to terms with the loss of power.

"The people have recognised the DMK's frustration, political bitterness and desperation to regain office. The party alone refuses to acknowledge that reality," it said.

Reaffirming its stance, TVK said its government would never allow Tamil Nadu's rights, farmers' welfare or the interests of the people to be compromised, not only on the Mekedatu project but on any issue affecting the State.

The victim, a differently abled petty shop owner from Eethankattai near Suchindram in Kanniyakumari district, had been arrested by the Thenthamaraikulam police for allegedly possessing banned tobacco products. He was remanded to the Nagercoil prison, where he allegedly died after being assaulted by three prison personnel and eight prisoners on July 13.

The CB-CID investigation revealed that a prison warden assaulted Sabari Varman after inmates informed him that the victim was shouting inside the cell, demanding to meet his wife and children on the night of the incident.

Meanwhile, the eight prisoners had gone for kitchen duty. When they returned, the warden allegedly instigated them to assault the victim again as he persisted in his demand to be allowed to go home.

The accused allegedly tied Sabarivarman's hands and legs with a lungi and intensified the assault. When the victim managed to free his hands, the accused allegedly became furious, tore the lungi, tied him up again and continued the assault, which resulted in his death, the CB-CID investigation revealed.

The investigators also examined the eight prisoners who were shifted to the Palayamkottai Central Prison and the three prison personnel who were lodged in the Nanguneri Sub-Jail.

Based on the investigation so far, the CB-CID has decided to seek their custody for further interrogation.

The Nesamony Nagar police arrested prison warden Jagan, chief warden Suresh, prison guard Sivakumar and eight prisoners Vishnu, Sarathi, Jagan, Sarath, Perumal, Sethuram, Ajith and Aravind in connection with the case.

Following the transfer of the investigation to the CB-CID, the Nesamony Nagar police handed over all case records to the agency. A CB-CID team led by Superintendent of Police Sajitha visited Kanniyakumari district and commenced the investigation. The team, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajkumar Navaraj and Inspectors Ulagarani and Maria Princica, inspected the prison and questioned the accused separately.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the party's state and district office-bearers chaired by BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran at the party headquarters, Kamalalayam, in T Nagar here. Briefing reporters after the meeting, former union minister Pon Radhakrishnan said the party had adopted three major resolutions.

Claiming that Tamil Nadu was yet to receive its due share of Cauvery water, Pon Radhakrishnan alleged that Karnataka was pursuing the Mekedatu project to further curtail downstream flows. "This is not an issue concerning a single political party or an individual. It concerns the rights of all eight crore people of Tamil Nadu," he said.

He urged the Chief Minister to consult leaders of all recognised political parties represented in the Assembly and jointly engage Karnataka on the issue. Radhakrishnan also alleged that the 1924 Cauvery agreement was not renewed in 1974 under the then DMK-Congress government and claimed the previous DMK regime had withdrawn legal proceedings related to the agreement. He further alleged that Karnataka had already constructed four dams in the Cauvery basin despite provisions of the pact.

The BJP also demanded a White Paper on properties belonging to temples administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, sought the retrieval of temple lands from private encroachers, and called for action against officials responsible for irregularities. Radhakrishnan said the party had formed a committee to examine alleged violations involving temple properties.

The party further condemned alleged crimes against women and rising custodial deaths, accused the State government of failing to fulfil its electoral promises, and reiterated that Karnataka should not proceed with the Mekedatu project without considering the views of lower riparian states.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the incident occurred following a prolonged family dispute over his suspicions about his wife's behaviour and arguments over the money he had sent home while working in Dubai.

The accused, Chellamuthu, later surrendered before police with the weapon.

What were the disputes while Chellamuthu was working abroad?

The accused, Chellamuthu of Ramanathapuram, had been working in Dubai for the past few years after deciding to seek employment abroad due to insufficient income.

He used to return to his hometown once a year for a two-month vacation.

His wife, Sharmila (42), lived in Ramanathapuram with their two daughters, studying in Classes 7 and 4. Sharmila's mother, Padmavathi, who worked as a teacher in a government school in Dubai, had returned to Ramanathapuram in January and remained there due to health issues and treatment.

Chellamuthu frequently argued with his wife over the phone, suspecting her behaviour. He had also sought an account of the money he had sent from Dubai.

Unable to continue living with what she described as a suspicious husband, Sharmila separated from him and moved into a rented house in Vaigai Nagar with her mother and children despite relatives urging the couple to reconcile for the children's welfare.

Argument between husband-wife turns fatal

Police said Chellamuthu went to his wife's house at around 8 am while the children were getting ready for school and again argued with her. Padmavathi also objected to the confrontation.

As the argument intensified, Chellamuthu allegedly attacked Sharmila with a sword he had concealed on his person. When Padmavathi attempted to intervene, she was also attacked.

Both women died on the spot.

He said Karnataka would decide its next course of action at an all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on August 2.

Speaking to PTI, Reddy said the CM has called the all-party meeting to deliberate on the issue and decide the state's response to the CWMA's decision.

The minister said, "CWMA has upheld CWRC's order."

Asked about the next step, Reddy said, "The Chief Minister has called an all-party meeting on August 2. We will take a decision there on what needs to be done."

Karnataka is agitated following the order as the state is reeling under acute drought.

Earlier in the day, the Madras High Court dismissed the anticipatory bail petition of Balaji in the fresh FIR lodged by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in the TASMAC scam case.

Soon after the denial of pre-arrest bail by the high court, the top court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant was urged by senior lawyers Kapil Sibal, Mukul Rohatgi and Amit Anand Tiwari on behalf of the DMK leader that his plea be listed for urgent hearing as he faces imminent coercive action.

The bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said that it will be listed on Friday.

Balaji represents Coimbatore South in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

According to the fresh FIR, a large-scale scam took place in TASMAC in the allotment of shops and bars.

Balaji alleged that the FIR quoted verbatim the affidavit of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the petition filed by the anti-money laundering probe agency before the Supreme Court.

In fact, the FIR itself at various places says that it is from the counter affidavit and petition of the ED, the plea said.

"Our contention is that the FIR is for the incident said to have been committed between 2021 and 2025. I am at no flight risk; no custodial interrogation required. I was the minister of the department and TASMAC is a corporation independent in existence and functioning," said senior advocate Tirwari.

He also said there was no direct role or connection and it was political vendetta.

"Also, it is interference with the pending proceeding before the Supreme Court inasmuch as the petition filed by TASMAC and the state of Tamil Nadu in which the ED has filed the said counter-affidavit, which is the basis of the FIR, there is a stay of investigation against TASMAC and no coercive action order. Reliance on such an affidavit of a pending matter is interference with the judicial proceeding," the senior lawyer said.

The plea said it was diametrically opposite to the earlier stand taken by the state government in the matter.

The high court, while rejecting the pre-arrest bail plea of the leader, referred to the prosecution's allegation of causing loss to the exchequer against Balaji and said that custodial questioning was necessary.

The DVAC in its FIR said that Balaji entered into a criminal conspiracy to manipulate TASMAC's functioning by rigging bar and transport tenders, favouring a few select liquor manufacturers, resulting in overpricing of liquor, and causing financial loss to the public exchequer.

The DVAC registered an FIR against seven accused.

The FIR against Balaji, former TASMAC managing director S Visakan and five others was for alleged misappropriation, manipulation of procurement and tender processes in allotting bar licences, transport tenders, and bogus and inflated transactions by certain distilleries and bottling firms.

Balaji's close associates Rathesh Raj Shanmugavel and S Karthik, also known as Mulanoor Karthik, his former personal assistant Bhaskar and former TASMAC officials R Ramadurai Murugan and R Paneerselvam were the five other accused persons.

The FIR highlighted the operation of an alleged organised syndicate known as the "Karur gang", allegedly controlled by Karthik.

Allegedly, the syndicate ran all liquor bars in Karur district and coerced officials into allotting bar licences across Tamil Nadu to their favoured candidates.

The FIR also states that the investigators uncovered extensive fraud in transport tenders awarded for 45 TASMAC depots.

In one instance, nine out of 16 Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) demand drafts submitted by an applicant were illegally retained and reused by senior regional managers to improperly grant transport depot contracts to rival firms.

The FIR also detailed a systematic cash-kickback scheme involving tens of crores, where bottle supply companies generated bogus or inflated invoices for distilleries.

TASMAC retail shops systematically collected excess amounts over the maximum retail price (MRP) from consumers in an organised manner, overcharging between Rs 10 and Rs 100 for standard liquor and up to Rs 500 for foreign liquor, the FIR stated.

The case has been registered under Sections 120B, 167, 409, 109, and 420 of the IPC, corresponding provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (including Sections 61(2), 201, 316(5), 49, and 318(4)), and Sections 7(c), 12, 13(1)(a), and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018).

The university, which formally entered the State in 2025, will start its MBA programme in November, while the other courses are expected to commence from March 2027. It has invested around Rs 125 crore to set up the campus at Velachery, creating more than 200 jobs.

COURSES ON OFFER

The University of Western Australia, or UWA, is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world in the QS 2027 rankings. It has planned two campuses in India, one in Chennai and another in Mumbai. UWA will offer five undergraduate programmes at its Chennai campus. These are Economics, AI, Data Science, Computer Science, Business Management. It will also offer Master of Information Technology and MBA.

In a statement issued earlier, the university said it was working closely with the University Grants Commission (UGC) to secure necessary approvals for its campuses and courses, and would start classes after obtaining the clearances from the regulatory body.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS

It offers several scholarships and bursaries, which, it claims, are designed to recognise academic achievement, support talented students, and provide financial assistance across all courses.

“Most scholarships are assessed automatically as part of [the] application to study at UWA India and do not require a separate application. For select scholarships, additional documentation or criteria may apply,” it said, adding that eligible students are automatically assessed when they submit admission applications.

For instance, separate applications are not required for Early Bird Enrolment Bursary, UWA India Fee Waiver, Tamil Nadu UWA Bursary (Chennai campus), and Maharashtra UWA Bursary (Mumbai campus).

Students must submit an admission application and then apply separately for these scholarships: Premier Academic Award (Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu), Academic Merit Award, and Vice-Chancellor High-Merit Award.

FEES, SEATS, CAMPUS IN CHENNAI

While the statement from the Tamil Nadu government on Thursday did not offer much information into the size and scope of UWA’s Chennai campus, an earlier news report said it would be spread across 50,000 sq ft at DLF Cybercity.

The report said it will start with an intake of 300 students, with annual fees expected to be around AUD 25,000 (approximately Rs 16.69 lakh. 

Speaking to reporters here, he said, "The Supreme Court after hearing a review petition filed by the state government, ruled that the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) may conduct counselling for these surrendered seats but without lowering the existing cutoff mark. However, if a decision is made by the DGHS to reduce the cutoff, those seats must be surrendered back to the Tamil Nadu state pool."

The Supreme Court's recent interim order stipulated that the DGHS should complete the All India Quota (AIQ) counselling for the surrendered seats without lowering the existing cutoff percentile.

The court stated that if, after this second round, a decision is made to reduce the cutoff percentile, then 50 per cent of the seats must be reverted to Tamil Nadu. The remaining 50 per cent would be filled through subsequent counselling by the DGHS using the new, reduced percentile.

Arunraj claimed that the former DMK government freely surrendered 119 seats in 2024 and 145 super specialty seats in 2025 to the AIQ, as it yielded state rights without protest.

"During the previous years, after we surrendered the seats, the DGHS lowered the cutoff and filled the seats using the AIQ," he claimed.

The health minister was addressing the ongoing legal and political controversy surrounding 151 vacant super specialty seats on the sidelines of a construction inspection at Dr M G R Medical University.

Arunraj said the seats remained unfilled after local candidates failed to meet the 50th percentile cutoff mark mandated by the DGHS.

"We take this as a victory for the Tamil Nadu government's sincere efforts," Arunraj said, adding that the state's ultimate aim is to ensure state-allocated seats are retained for doctors serving under the Tamil Nadu government.

In an official statement, the Lok Sabha MP expressed shock over Karnataka's continued non-compliance with the orders of the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) and warned that its stubborn refusal threatens to turn Tamil Nadu’s agricultural hub, the Delta region, into a desert.

Highlighting the gravity of the water deficit, Thirumavalavan cited data shared by CWRC Chairman Vineet Gupta, noting that against the prescribed allocation of 36.4 TMC ft (thousand million cubic feet) between June 1 and July 27 as per the 2018 Supreme Court judgment, Tamil Nadu received only about 3.6 TMC ft at Biligundlu -- a meager 10 per cent of its rightful share.

"The cumulative shortfall in water receipt since June 1 stands at nearly 33 TMC ft. Overall water released by Karnataka has barely touched 1 TMC ft cumulatively at key intervals," Thirumavalavan pointed out, emphasising the crippling effect of this deficit on local agriculture.

He noted that while the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has currently directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily for the next 15 days, farmer groups in the neighbouring state are opposing even this minimal release.

Outlining the impact on local farmers, the VCK founder said the 'Kuruvai' (short-term) crop season has already been lost due to the lack of water, while the prospect of undertaking 'Samba' (long-term) cultivation now faces severe uncertainty across the Delta districts.

Asserting that Tamil Nadu can no longer expect fairness from the Karnataka government, Thirumavalavan stressed the need for a united state-wide response.

"Under these circumstances, we must raise our legitimate voice loudly and collectively. We urge the Tamil Nadu government to immediately convene an all-party meeting to decide the next course of action," he said.

The MDMK leader also asserted that the TVK will never compromise its secular credentials or lean towards the BJP.

"I told TVK founder C Joseph Vijay not to worry about anything. I assured him that whichever alliance I was in, I have served as one of the key commanders who secured victory for that front. Today, I stand with you. If anyone attempts to pose a threat to your governance, MDMK will act as a shield and a battle sword to thwart those attempts," Vaiko said at an event here on Wednesday.

He further said, "I have absolute confidence that Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Vijay, will never lean towards the BJP under any circumstances."

"To safeguard secularism and social justice, the members of TVK will stand like frontline soldiers on the battlefield," he added.

Stating that he had traversed through all stages of political life, and there was nothing left for him to suffer, Vaiko said, "The comrades standing with me today expect nothing for themselves and MDMK will serve as the sappers and miners for Vijay's government."

Referring to reports that the opposition parties attempted to topple the TVK government, the MDMK leader said, "Do not indulge in daydreams. No matter what efforts you make, if such a political situation arises, the TVK-led alliance will win no less than 180 seats (Of 234 Assembly seats). You will suffer a crushing defeat, lose your identity, and be reduced to zero."

The searches were carried out by the ED's Chennai Zonal Office under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), based on multiple FIRs registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the suicide bomb explosion near the Sangameshwarar Temple in Coimbatore in October 2022.

According to the ED, the attack was carried out by suicide bomber Jamesha Mubeen and others as an ISIS-inspired terrorist act using a modified Maruti car loaded with explosive substances.

The agency alleged that the accused raised funds for their activities through two major channels. One involved operating a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate racket during the pandemic, generating money from people seeking vaccination certificates without receiving the vaccine. The second involved collecting donations and fraudulent investments through Kovai Arabic College, which investigators alleged was used to radicalise youths.

The ED said its investigation revealed that 12 accused in the Coimbatore bomb blast case, including Jamesha Mubeen, had attended online or offline sessions conducted by Kovai Arabic College. The agency alleged that they were mentored by Jameel Basha, identified as the promoter of the institution, following which they were indoctrinated into Salafi-Jihadi ideology and conspired to carry out the terror attack in support of the banned terrorist organisation ISIS.

The searches are aimed at tracing the alleged proceeds of crime and uncovering the financial network linked to the terror funding investigation.