Following the boy’s death at Puthupatti village near Namagiripettai, Namakkal District Collector L Madhubalan inspected the locality to review the dengue-prevention and mosquito-control measures being implemented in the area.

During his visit to the boy’s residence, the Collector met the grieving parents. They told him that their son had received treatment from Usha (38), who had undergone nursing training and was running a pharmacy while also treating members of the public.

Acting on the information, a team comprising District Health Officer K Poongodi, Rasipuram Government Hospital Chief Medical Officer Kalaiselvi and Namagiripettai police officials inspected the pharmacy.

The officials seized injections, medicines and other medical supplies from the premises and subsequently sealed the establishment. Usha was arrested, and a case was registered by the Namagiripettai police. Further investigation is under way.

The DVAC had registered a disproportionate assets case in 2011, alleging that Panneerselvam and his family members had failed to satisfactorily account for assets worth Rs 3.01 crore acquired during the check period between 2006 and 2011, when he served as Health Minister.

Panneerselvam, Senthamizhselvi, and Kathiravan filed a discharge petition in 2013, which the Cuddalore Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) allowed in 2016. However, the DVAC filed a revision petition challenging it.

In 2025, Justice P Velmurugan allowed the revision petition, set aside the CJM's order, and revived the criminal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the three accused filed a second discharge petition before the Sessions Court, which dismissed the plea.

Thereafter, they approached the Madras High Court challenging the Cuddalore Principal District and Sessions Court's June 30 order refusing to discharge them from the case.

In their plea, they also sought a stay on the trial proceedings and exemption from personal appearance before the trial court.

However, Justice V Lakshminarayanan dismissed the discharge petition.

On the instructions of Minister for Backward Classes Welfare V Sampath Kumar, District Collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar issued orders to ensure an uninterrupted supply of LPG cylinders to Kamalathal.

As an immediate measure, three cylinders were delivered to her on Monday (September 21) night and Kamalathal resumed her routine on Tuesday (September 22) morning, serving steaming hot idlis to customers as usual.

A resident of Vadivelampalayam near Thondamuthur, Kamalathal has been selling idlis for just Rs one for nearly three decades. She began the venture using a firewood stove and switched to LPG cooking around 10 years ago.

Despite rising prices and increasing cooking costs, she has continued to keep the price of an idli unchanged. For several years, a gas company had been providing her with LPG cylinders free of cost. However, the supply was stopped about two months ago, leaving her struggling to keep her small kitchen running.

Seeking the restoration of the supply, Kamalathal visited the Coimbatore Collectorate on Monday and submitted a petition to the district administration.

“I am very happy and relieved that the LPG supply has been restored. I was worried about how I would continue serving my customers without the cylinders. I am grateful for helping me continue my service,” Kamalathal said.

Police said Annalakshmi, a resident of Avarangadu near Pallipalayam, had given birth to the twins at the Erode Government Headquarters Hospital on September 3. The couple already have a daughter.

After completing postnatal treatment, Annalakshmi returned home with the newborns on September 16. The tragedy came to light on Tuesday afternoon when she picked up the babies from their cradle to feed them.

To her shock, both infants were found unresponsive. The parents immediately rushed them to the Erode Government Headquarters Hospital, where doctors examined the babies and declared that they had already died.

The Pallipalayam police subsequently registered a case and began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The bodies of the two infants have been sent to the Government Medical College Hospital in Perundurai for a post-mortem to ascertain the exact cause of death.

“Only a post mortem report will shed light on the mystery shrouded death of the two newborns. Further action will be initiated based on the findings,” said a cop. Health department officials have also initiated a separate inquiry into the incident.

“People regarded as respected members of society being involved in such cruel acts against children is shocking. It is deeply concerning that such offences are alleged to have continued since the 1990s and that those involved could have continued for so long in an environment that enabled such crimes,” she said in a social media post.

“Whoever is involved in this heinous crime, irrespective of their position or status, must be severely punished in accordance with the law,” Kanimozhi said.

She said justice should extend beyond the children allegedly affected and ensure that no child is subjected to similar abuse in the future.

“This is not justice that should be secured only for the children affected now. We must ensure a safe social environment so that no child is subjected to such cruelty in the future,” she said.

The DMK leader also stressed that those who aided the alleged offences should face the law.

“Not only those who committed the wrongdoing, but also those who aided or abetted it, must be brought before the law,” added Kanimozhi.

The reply was placed before the court, as Aadhav Arjuna has claimed that DMK's IT Wing published a defamatory post under the orders of party chief Stalin, seeking Rs 1 crore in damages. The court posted the matter to October 26.

When the matter came up before Justice K Govindarajan Thilakavadi, the court was informed that Stalin had filed his counter and that the IT Wing would also file its counter.

In his counter, Stalin said the attempt to hold him vicariously responsible for the alleged social media post was unfounded. He said that although, as the head of the party, he exercises administrative control over the office-bearers of various party wings, he could not be held legally responsible for the individual acts of the members or wings.

Stalin called upon Arjuna to prove that he had specifically instructed the party to publish the alleged information against him.

Stalin also pointed out that Arjuna, who claimed his reputation was tarnished by his association with a person under investigation, was himself facing CBI prosecution in connection with the Karur stampede case.

Stalin said the allegation that he was responsible for the publication and dissemination of the alleged post merely because he exercised control and supervision over the party was baseless and legally untenable. He said he did not instruct or approve the DMK IT Wing to publish any post linking Arjuna or his family members to John Britto or any drug-trafficking case. He denied the attempt to fasten vicarious responsibility on him and said that merely being the DMK president did not make him liable for every post published by the party's wings or functionaries, or for their individual acts.

He further said that Arjuna had not denied having a relative, John Britto, who was facing a criminal case and prosecution by the Enforcement Directorate. Stalin reiterated that he had no role whatsoever in the alleged publication.

Stalin also alleged that Arjuna had used intemperate and abusive language against him and his family during the election campaign and even after becoming a minister. He pointed out that Arjuna had referred to him as a "foolish Chief Minister" and argued that a person who had publicly used such language against him could not claim that his own reputation or goodwill had been damaged.

He further argued that Arjuna had not produced any material showing any loss of reputation, public standing, or goodwill. Stalin therefore sought dismissal of the suit with exemplary costs.

In a statement, Seeman criticised the TVK government for informing the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that the existing ban could not be lifted. He questioned the government's decision to promote products such as neera, palm jaggery and palm sugar while continuing to prohibit the sale of toddy.

Seeman said concerns cited by the government, including the possibility of adulteration and difficulties in monitoring toddy production and sales, could be addressed through licensing, quality control and regulatory mechanisms. "If the government can regulate the sale and quality of domestic and foreign liquor, why can't it regulate toddy production under a proper licensing and monitoring system?" he asked.

He also referred to observations made by the Madras High Court regarding the need for a government action plan to permit toddy sales for the benefit of palm farmers. Seeman further claimed that the retired Justice Gokuldas Commission, which inquired into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, had recommended permitting the sale of toddy as a natural beverage.

Pointing out that NTK and palm workers had been demanding the removal of the ban for several years, Seeman urged the government to withdraw its affidavit and lift the restrictions on toddy to protect palm workers' livelihoods.

In a statement, TNPDCL said that as of September 2026, Open Access permissions have been granted to 289 high-tension (HT) consumers, with a total capacity of 1,373 MW.

Earlier, permissions were granted to 383 HT consumers for 1,752 MW in June, 372 consumers for 1,729 MW in July and 299 consumers for 1,477 MW in August.

The board said applications from only 87 applicants, involving 334 MW, have been kept on hold due to non-payment of outstanding dues to the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL).

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL) said that applications for grid connectivity for completed renewable energy (RE) projects were being processed continuously.

Since May 2026, a total of 840 MW of renewable energy capacity has been brought into operation, it said, clarifying that applications for completed RE projects are being considered and processed.

Similar weather conditions are also expected over the Western Ghats districts of Tamil Nadu.

The weather department bulletin said that as of Tuesday (September 22) 5:30 am, a depression lay centred over the West Central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, positioned about 200 km southeast of Odisha and 200 km east-southeast of Andhra Pradesh.

The system is expected to intensify into a deep depression over the next 12 hours. Moving westwards, it is likely to cross the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur from Wednesday night through the early hours of September 24.

Additionally, an atmospheric trough extends from the southeast Arabian Sea to the cyclonic circulation associated with the depression across Karnataka and coastal Andhra Pradesh at middle-tropospheric levels. Light to moderate rain at isolated places is likely to occur over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Western Ghats districts of Tamil Nadu on September 24 (Thursday).

Light to moderate rain is likely to occur over Western Ghat districts and north TN on September 25 and 26. Maximum temperatures across the region are expected to remain near normal till September 26.

For Chennai, the sky condition is likely to remain partly cloudy, with maximum temperature hovering around 35 degrees Celsius and minimum temperature dips to 25. Light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is expected in some areas of the city during the late evening or night on Wednesday.

The incident has caused a stir among party cadres and the video has since circulated widely on social media.

Minister Madhanraja

According to party sources, Muthukumaran, the TVK Union Youth Wing Secretary, was upset over the replacement of existing functionaries and the appointment of new office-bearers. He allegedly questioned the manner in which key party posts were being filled in the district.

Party sources alleged that Madhanraja, the Thoothukudi Suburban District Secretary and Minister, had been removing district- and union-level functionaries over the past few months and replacing them with his supporters and relatives.

Announcement of new union secretary

The latest controversy reportedly arose after Kuzhantharaja was removed from the post of Thoothukudi South Union Secretary. Bharath was subsequently announced as his replacement.

Muthukumaran and other supporters of Kuzhantharaja are understood to have opposed the appointment. Party sources alleged that Bharath had earlier been associated with the DMK and was related to Madhanraja.

The developments reportedly led to resentment among a section of TVK workers in the area.

TVK functionary Muthukumaran's suicide attempt

Against this backdrop, Muthukumaran released a video in which he spoke about his association with TVK and his support for party leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay. He then allegedly consumed poison on camera.

In the video, Muthukumaran said he had been associated with Vijay as a fan for 26 years, since 2000, and had worked for the party from the time it was launched.

Emotional video addressed to TVK leader Vijay

Addressing Vijay emotionally, Muthukumaran said he considered the leader to be an important part of his life and expressed happiness over his becoming Chief Minister.

He claimed that irregularities in the Ottapidaram Assembly constituency had been affecting Vijay's reputation. He further said that he had emailed the leader several times and attempted to meet him in person, but alleged that no action had been taken.

No action taken

Muthukumaran also alleged that several loyal party workers were being overlooked while people who had recently joined the party from the DMK were being given important positions.

He claimed that such appointments were causing resentment among long-time TVK workers and alleged that the party's local functioning was giving Vijay a bad name.

TVK turning into a DMK camp

In the video, Muthukumaran alleged that the party was gradually becoming like a “DMK camp” following its election victory, as newcomers were allegedly being given key posts over loyalists.

He made the allegations while appearing distressed and subsequently consumed poison.

Police investigation begins

Following the incident, Muthukumaran was rescued in a critical condition and admitted to Thoothukudi Government Hospital, where he is undergoing intensive treatment.

The video has triggered concern among TVK supporters and is being widely circulated on social media.

Police have begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suicide attempt and are also examining the allegations made by Muthukumaran in the video.

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Vanni Arasu had said that some students had requested beef to be added to the menu at Social Justice hostels and that the matter would be discussed with students and officials before a decision is taken. The remarks came during his inspection of the M C Raja Social Justice Hostel in Chennai.

Krishnasamy seeks balanced food for hostel students

In his statement, Krishnasamy said thousands of school and college students stay in residential schools and hostels run under the Social Justice Department. He said the focus should be on providing nutritious and balanced food to students.

Recalling his tenure as an MLA between 1996 and 2001, Krishnasamy said he had raised concerns about the quality of food provided to students and had advocated increasing the monthly food charges. He said the increase helped improve the quality of food served at the time.

He further said that food provided to students should contain adequate protein, vitamins, minerals and fats. According to him, eggs should be provided regularly, while chicken and mutton could be included in the menu at least twice a week.

Krishnasamy opposes beef proposal

Krishnasamy said food preferences differ among individuals, families and communities. He claimed that chicken and mutton are more commonly consumed among non-vegetarians in Tamil Nadu and objected to the proposal to consider beef in Social Justice hostels.

He alleged that Vanni Arasu had brought the issue into the public domain by presenting it as a demand from students. Krishnasamy said that, as a minister, Arasu should not seek to impose his personal food preferences on students.

Withdraw statement on beef'

Krishnasamy strongly criticised the minister's statement and called for its immediate withdrawal. He said the issue should not be considered for implementation in student hostels and urged Vanni Arasu to reconsider his remarks.Krishnasamy also warned that any move to implement the proposal would have serious political consequences for the minister and reiterated his demand that the statement be withdrawn.

The arrest followed the registration of a POCSO case against Veeramani and his associates Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan after a video showing Veeramani allegedly engaging in an obscene act with a minor girl was found on Ganesan's mobile phone.

Police said Ganesan was arrested for allegedly failing to report the matter to the authorities.

A man and his wife, identified as Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan, and said to be associates of Veeramani, have also been arrested in connection with the case.

The three accused were produced before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody, police said.

The arrests came amid a political row in Tamil Nadu over the POCSO case against granite baron Veeramani, who has been arrested for alleged sexual abuse of several minor girls.

On Monday, ministers accused the previous DMK government of a "cover-up" and interfering with the functioning of the police department.

In a social media post, Vijay said the State government would provide the incentive to recognise Kamalini's achievement. "The State government will provide a cash incentive of Rs 75 lakh in appreciation of Kamalini's remarkable achievement," he said.

Kamalini, a wicketkeeper-batter from Madurai, was part of India's gold-winning campaign. India defeated Sri Lanka in the women's cricket final to retain the Asian Games title.

Vijay said the government would continue to support talented sportspersons and that Kamalini's achievement would provide new inspiration and confidence to the youth and women of Tamil Nadu.

He also wished Kamalini success in achieving further milestones in her sporting career.

Citing the trial in the Sathankulam custodial death case, the Judge warned the accused police personnel, including an Inspector, that their properties could be confiscated and included in the case if they attempted to abscond without appearing for the trial proceedings.

The Judge further directed them to execute bail bonds within 20 days, failing which each of them would have to pay a fine of Rs 20,000. The court asked them to appear again on October 9.

According to the prosecution, the six police personnel — the main accused, Inspector Dhilipan, Sub-Inspector P. Mahendran and constables L. Deivendran and B. Palaniyappan — were booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, for allegedly subjecting Scheduled Caste youth Akash Delison to severe torture with the intention of killing him. He died in March 2026.

The CBCID filed a chargesheet before the court on June 18. The chargesheet stated that the six accused policemen, who belonged to a dominant caste, were aware that Akash belonged to the Hindu Devendrakula Velalar (SC) community and assaulted him with the intention of killing him.

“The investigation conducted so far reveals that the accused, fully aware that the deceased Akash Delison belonged to the Hindu Devendrakula Velalar community, took him in a police vehicle on March 6, 2026, around 5.30 p.m. to a secluded, low-lying area full of eucalyptus trees, off the road to Maanambathi village. With the intention of causing his death, all the accused beat Akash below his right knee and above his ankle with an iron rod, inflicting severe fractures. This assault led to fat embolism, which directly caused his death,” the chargesheet states.

Meanwhile, more than 50 police personnel were present when the Special Court heard the case involving the six accused policemen on Tuesday.

Rajeshwari, who was a data entry operator at the hospital, had just finished her shift and was preparing to leave when the accused Prakash, 36, of Madhavaram entered the hospital, chased her down, doused her with petrol and threw a lit matchstick on her. Rajeshwari suffered over 50% burns and is under treatment at the Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital.

After the incident, the police formed special teams to trace Prakash. They tracked him down to a spot near a cremation ground. When police approached him, he allegedly attacked sub inspector Thamilarasan with a sickle. Ponneri inspector Sivakumar then shot him below the knee. Prakash was initially treated at the Ponneri Government Hospital and later shifted to Stanley Government Hospital.

According to the initial probe, Prakash and Rajeshwari were an estranged couple. Prakash was enraged after Rajeshwari severed all contacts with him and decided to take revenge, the police said.

At a meeting at the Secretariat, Vijay reviewed the progress of the DPR, the proposed facilities and preparations for inviting global tenders to ensure international technical expertise and standards in the restoration exercise.

The move comes after the State government announced in the 2026-27 Budget that Chennai’s river restoration projects would receive priority, with a DPR to be prepared for the Cooum.

As part of the initial planning, three-km stretches of the river have been identified for detailed study. The proposed interventions include pedestrian and cycling tracks, riverside walkways, viewing decks, green spaces, community facilities and nature-based environmental improvement measures.

The government’s approach is broader than routine maintenance, with the restoration plan seeking to bring together ecological improvement, public amenities and riverfront development. The government had earlier announced that global consultants would be engaged for feasibility and project reports for the Cooum and Adyar, with the proposed exercise also focusing on sewage interception, water quality, recreational spaces and flood-mitigation infrastructure.

The immediate focus will now be on firming up the DPR and concept and action plans before moving towards global tendering and phased implementation. Vijay has directed officials to adopt an integrated and sustainable approach to restore the Cooum to its natural state and improve Chennai’s river environment and public spaces.

The development also comes as the Water Resources Department continues maintenance and desilting-related works along the Cooum ahead of the northeast monsoon.

Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar and senior officials attended review meeting.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, Nirmalkumar said the DMK’s over-reaction to the issue raised questions. He also sought an explanation from former minister S Regupathy, who had claimed that the video in question was unclear, asking whether he had personally seen it or was speaking based on what others had told him.

Nirmalkumar alleged that R Veeramani, whom he described as a businessman with assets worth hundreds of crores, could have approached a power centre to evade action. He further alleged that only a party such as the DMK could have enabled him to escape the consequences.

Drawing a parallel with the Anna University sexual assault case, the minister alleged that the FIR in that case was released, exposing and intimidating the survivor, and that an attempt was subsequently made to suppress the investigation. He alleged that the DMK was now attempting to suppress the Veeramani case in a similar manner.

Nirmalkumar said the Chief Minister was personally monitoring the case to ensure that no one involved escaped action and asserted that strict and impartial action would be taken against all those found connected with it.

Kalaimathi of Kampayanpatti and Vidya of Chennaiyakudi gave birth to two babies consecutively at the hospital, according to a Maalaimalar report.

The nurses initially handed the babies over to their respective relatives.

Later, the nurses took back the two babies, stating that they had mistakenly exchanged them. They reportedly said that Kalaimathi had given birth to a girl, while Vidya had delivered a boy.

Why did the relatives protest?

Refusing to accept the explanation, the relatives got into a heated argument with the hospital staff and staged a protest on the hospital premises.

How will the dispute be resolved?

Minister Mohammad Parvez and District Collector Aruna held peace talks with the relatives. As the relatives refused to accept the explanation, medical officials said that the truth could be established through DNA testing. The relatives agreed.

The relatives also demanded action against the nurses, alleging negligence in handling the newborns.

Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Dr A Somasundaram held a video conference with health officials across the State and reviewed the dengue situation, directing them to strengthen preventive and control measures.

Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts were identified as areas reporting a high incidence of dengue, while cases were also increasing in Kallakurichi district. The review noted that children were among those affected by dengue fever.

Officials were instructed to exercise particular caution in rural areas and prevent circumstances that could facilitate the spread of dengue. The department also stressed the need to identify and address potential mosquito-breeding sources in such areas.

Joint Directors of Public Health working across the State were directed to visit villages in their respective jurisdictions and identify the sources from which dengue mosquito larvae were emerging.

They were asked to determine how such breeding sources could be controlled and eliminated and to initiate immediate measures to contain the spread.

Officials were also instructed to closely monitor the situation in areas reporting higher incidence and intensify field-level interventions wherever cases were increasing. They were told to ensure that preventive measures were implemented promptly at the ground level and that the dengue situation was continuously monitored across the State.

The meeting at the Secretariat reviewed precautionary and disaster-management measures in Coimbatore, Dindigul, Erode, Karur, Madurai, Nilgiris, Sivaganga, Tenkasi, Theni and Virudhunagar districts, besides steps to prevent dengue and fever cases.

Vijay directed collectors to take precautionary measures based on the vulnerability of each location, with special attention to rainfall-prone areas in the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Dindigul and Theni districts. He cautioned that heavy rain could lead to landslides, soil slips and road disruptions in these areas.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to continuously monitor landslide-prone areas, particularly vulnerable slopes and locations already identified as dangerous. Such areas should be inspected before and during heavy rain, and immediate action taken if signs such as soil cracks, slope movement or water seepage are detected, he said.

He also directed officials to expedite landslide-prevention and slope-stabilisation works, including soil-nailing works undertaken in Kodaikanal, and keep key roads and transport links under constant watch. Machinery, personnel and equipment required to clear fallen soil, rocks and debris should be kept ready in advance to restore connectivity without delay, he said.

Relief camps near vulnerable areas should be inspected and kept ready for immediate use, while VHF equipment and satellite phones should remain functional in areas where communication could be disrupted. Mock drills and evacuation exercises should also be conducted at critical locations, Vijay said.

On dengue prevention, he directed officials to identify areas witnessing a rise in cases, intensify door-to-door field inspections, identify and eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding sites, strengthen mosquito-larval control and step up public awareness campaigns. He further ordered government hospitals and primary health centres to remain prepared for early detection of dengue, timely referral, fluid therapy, treatment of severe cases and continuous medical monitoring.

Addressing media persons at Anna Arivalayam, Regupathy said the case had not been deliberately kept pending and that investigators initially lacked sufficient evidence to establish the identities of the people in the video.

Regupathy said the DMK would support action against anyone found guilty. "Whoever is involved in the case, and whoever supported them, must be brought before the law and punished. No accused should escape," he said.

Rejecting allegations that the party had favoured Veeramani, he said, "We have no need to take money from Veeramani to prevent his arrest." He maintained that the video available at the initial stage did not clearly establish the identity of the persons involved.

Regupathy also attacked the four-month-old TVK government over law and order, governance, and alleged sexual offences, accusing Chief Minister Vijay of focusing on "reels" rather than administration. He said the forthcoming Madurantakam and Dharapuram bypolls would provide voters an opportunity to respond to the government's record.

DMK legal wing secretary NR Elango has similarly said the investigation was not closed but kept pending for further evidence, while the TVK government has alleged that the previous regime failed to act despite the case being registered in 2025.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the directive was issued during a review meeting chaired by Natural Resources Minister TK Prabhu at the Directorate of Geology and Mining in Chennai.

What instructions were issued to district officials?

District Collectors were instructed to take prompt action on pending lease applications, identify new areas and bring them under electronic auction. They were also directed to operationalise new quarries and revive inactive quarries to achieve the set revenue target.

What was discussed with road contractors?

A consultation meeting was also held with contractors seeking permission to extract soil for national highways and other road works.

During the meeting, the government said the difficulties faced by contractors in obtaining lease permissions for such projects would be examined and appropriate steps would be taken to resolve them.

R Ramesh, Minister for Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR & CE), met the Chief Minister in Chennai on September 21 and presented the sacred `prasadam' to him.

On receiving the prasadam, the Chief Minister conveyed his greetings and appreciation for the successful conduct of the ceremony, according to an official release.

The Kumbabhishekam was held on September 17 after a gap of 17 years. The previous consecration at the temple was held on April 8, 2009.

The consecration of the 12 main gopurams and the golden vimanas of Meenakshi Amman and Sundareswarar was performed simultaneously amid the chanting of Tamil and Sanskrit hymns.

The State government had also made arrangements for 24 Tamil Oduvars to recite Thiruvasagam and Thirumurai hymns at the kalasams of the gopurams during the consecration.

Thirumavalavan attended the event at EVP Film City near Poonamallee. Images and videos of the VCK leader arriving in a Tesla displaying the number TN 07 CM 2031 have since been widely shared online. The number has led to speculation about its possible political significance ahead of the 2031 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Thirumavalavan's car number draws comparison with GOAT

The number has also drawn comparisons with the car used by actor-turned-Chief Minister Vijay in the 2024 film The Greatest of All Time (GOAT). In the film, Vijay is seen driving a car with the registration number TN 07 CM 2026. The number was interpreted by viewers as a reference to the 2026 Assembly elections and Vijay's political ambitions.

Following the appearance of Thirumavalavan's car with CM 2031, social media users have similarly linked the number to the next Assembly election and speculated about a possible chief ministerial role for the VCK leader.

VCK leader's 2031 number sparks speculation

Some reports have also raised questions about the registration. A few outlets have claimed that the *TN 07 CM 2031* registration is associated with a two-wheeler rather than the car in which Thirumavalavan was seen. This claim has added another layer to the discussion surrounding the viral images.

Vijay launched the expanded scheme at the Chennai Middle School in Thiruvanmiyur and had breakfast with the students.

The expansion will cover 7,537 additional government and government-aided schools across Tamil Nadu and entails an additional allocation of Rs 217.63 crore in the current financial year. With the expansion, the scheme will benefit around 34.64 lakh students studying in Classes 1 to 8 in 44,984 schools. The total allocation for the scheme has been fixed at Rs 724 crore.

At the Thiruvanmiyur school, 199 students from Classes 1 to 5 were already benefiting from the scheme. Another 127 students from Classes 6 to 8 will now be covered following the expansion.

The government said the expansion was aimed at improving the nutritional status of schoolchildren, ensuring that they attend classes without hunger and enabling them to concentrate better on their studies.

In Chennai, breakfast will be prepared through integrated kitchens operated by the Greater Chennai Corporation. In other urban areas, the Directorate of Municipal Administration will oversee the arrangements. In rural areas and adjoining town panchayats, self-help group members will prepare breakfast at schools through the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women.

The government said the expanded scheme would strengthen students’ health, nutrition, attendance and learning, besides reinforcing the foundation of school education.

A senior police officer with the city police will probe the allegations while the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Unit (ITPU) will continue the sexual abuse probe based on complaints from multiple survivors.

After Veeramani and his two associates were arrested on August 29 for the alleged sexual abuse of a minor girl, the police reached out to several survivors who were allegedly sexually abused by the businessman over the years.

A pen drive with the video of an elderly man sexually abusing a minor girl was sent to the ITPU in October 2025 and a case was registered, but action was delayed for several months. Later, stating that they could not identify or locate the girl, the police had sought to close the case. But a special Pocso court rejected the closure report on August 19 and ordered further investigation.

Meanwhile, the case assumed political undertones after the change of government after the recent Assembly elections, with the ruling TVK leaders alleging that the previous DMK regime helped the prominent businessman escape the law. Fuelling the controversy, rumours began spreading that Veeramani spent a large amount, running to tens of crores, to influence the investigation. The opposition party strongly denied the allegations.

During the fresh probe, the police identified the elderly man in the video as Veeramani and began the probe. The city police have also identified the survivor in the video and have further found over nine survivors. Investigations revealed that he had rented a house in Teynampet where he sexually exploited several minor girls and women though video evidence is available for only one instance of sexual abuse.

This led to the arrests of Veeramani and his associates, Mahendra Simhan (64) and his wife Shanthi (60), to whom Veeramani had entrusted the management of the rented property.

It is said that Abimannan (47), a farmer from Lalgudi in Tiruchy, had a long dispute with a few people from the locality over an altercation resulting from the influence of alcohol.

On Monday morning, Abimannan was found dead with severe stab injuries. Based on the complaint by his family members, Kallakudi police registered a case, retrieved the body and sent it to Lalgudi GH.

The initial investigation found that a resident from the village was killed a few months back after an altercation while consuming alcohol, and Abimannan was also one of the accused; the police suspected that he was killed in revenge for the earlier murder.

The police suspected a few persons who had quarrelled with Abimannan recently and are in the process of arresting them.

He urged the Union government to prevent Karnataka from constructing the dam and the Tamil Nadu government to initiate steps to build a dam at Rasimanal, claiming that even neighbouring state's farmers agree to the alternate proposal.

Pandian, who led the Vedaranyam-Rasimanal rally against the Mekedatu dam and demanded that the dam be built within Tamil Nadu to protect the state's rights, reached Tiruchy via Thanjavur on Monday. Farmers gave a rousing reception to the rally at Thanjavur and Tiruchy.

Speaking to reporters, Pandian said the groundwater level across the Delta region had declined and the current storage in Mettur was inadequate for irrigation, leaving farmers facing a looming crisis. He said that despite the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee ordering Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka had failed to comply and stopped releasing water to Mettur a couple of days ago.

“While the Cauvery Delta farmers have faith in the judiciary, the adamancy of Karnataka leads the Delta into a parched land. Farmers are left without livelihood, and the state government should influence the Union government to stop Karnataka from constructing the Mekedatu dam and initiate steps to build a dam at Rasimanal instead,” Pandian said.

He claimed that the Karnataka government planned to prevent the surplus water usually discharged to Tamil Nadu from reaching the State by constructing the Mekedatu dam.

“Even the Karnataka farmers too are against the Mekedatu dam and expressed their support for our rally, and they would take part during the completion of the rally at Rasimanal,” he said.

Pandian also appealed to political parties not to politicise the Cauvery issue. “It is the matter of our livelihood and the farmers from across the delta region have been fighting against the construction of Mekedatu dam unitedly,” he said.

Markandayan, the DMK MLA elected from the Vilathikulam constituency, was challenged by voter P Vimaladevi, who filed a petition before the Madras High Court seeking to declare his election invalid.

She alleged that Markandayan had concealed several immovable properties owned by him and his wife, M Rebecca Anita, and intentionally suppressed the details despite being an experienced legislator familiar with the election process.

She further stated that the alleged concealment amounted to an electoral offence and that she had submitted representations to the Chief Electoral Officer and the Governor seeking his removal, but no action was taken.

The petitioner urged the court to declare the election of Markandayan from Vilathikulam as null and void.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan observed that the petition was not maintainable, noting that the 45-day deadline to challenge the election had expired, leaving no legal remedy available.

The bench also warned the petitioner that a heavy fine would be imposed. Following this, the petitioner sought permission to withdraw the case and file it as an election petition.

The court thereafter permitted the petitioner to withdraw the petition.

It is said that Vijaya Geetha (28), a resident of Puthu Athur in Perambalur, along with her relative Gunaseelan from Siruvachur in Tiruchy, were proceeding to Kambarasampettai on a two-wheeler. While they were nearing Kambarasampettai, a TNSTC bus bound for Tiruchy hit their two wheeler in which the duo were thrown off the road and died on the spot after severe blood loss due to head injuries.

On receiving information, the Kambarasampettai police rushed to the spot, retrieved the bodies and sent them to Tiruchy GH.

A case was registered against the bus driver Kirubakaran (27) on charges of rash driving. Further investigations are on.

It is said that B Vijaya (55), a resident of Panthanallur in Thanjavur, went out of her house on Monday morning, and her pet dog too followed her. Suddenly, Vijaya and her pet dog touched a snapped electric line which had fallen after a strong wind.

On hearing her screaming, the family members and the neighbours ran to the spot and found that they were electrocuted. Soon, they passed on the information to Panthalur police, who also informed the Tangedco staff.

Subsequently, the Tangedco staff suspended the power supply, received the body and sent it to the Tiruppanandhathur GH. A case was registered, and investigations are on.

The incident occurred around 7.15 pm when Rajeshwari, a data entry operator working at the casualty ward, was leaving the hospital after completing her duty.

According to police, she was carrying her belongings and walking towards the exit when the suspect approached her near the ramp outside the emergency ward.

The man allegedly took out a plastic bottle containing petrol, poured it on Rajeshwari and set her on fire before fleeing the scene. She raised an alarm as flames engulfed her.

Hospital staff and members of the public rushed to her aid and took her to the emergency ward. Doctors found burns on her face, chest and lower abdomen. She was later shifted to Kilpauk Medical College Hospital for further treatment.

The Ponneri police visited the hospital and examined CCTV footage from cameras installed near the casualty ward and entrance ramp. Police also questioned hospital staff and others who were present at the time.

Investigators are examining whether Rajeshwari knew the attacker and whether the incident was linked to a personal dispute or relationship. Efforts are underway to identify the suspect from CCTV footage.

DT Next on Monday carried a report on how the Thenpennai River is dying a slow death, based on a study.

Based on the report, Anbumani urged the Tamil Nadu government to approach the Supreme Court to seek compensation from Karnataka for the pollution and to put pressure on the neighbouring state to prevent industrial effluents from entering the Thenpennai.

Anbumani said the study conducted by Chennai-based BioSynk found that the river water contained only 0.1 mg of oxygen per litre, against the normal level of 7-9 mg per litre. He also alleged that the levels of phosphorus and nitrates were more than twice the permissible level.

Anbumani said the low oxygen level was responsible for frequent fish deaths in the river and indicated that the Thenpennai was gradually dying. He criticised the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments for failing to act despite repeated directions from the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to prevent the discharge of pollutants into the river.

Recalling his inspection of the Kelavarapalli dam on August 31 last year, he said the oxygen level in the water was then 1.3 mg per litre and had declined by 13 points over the following year.

According to Anbumani, around 132.9 crore litres of untreated industrial waste were being discharged into Thenpennai daily from Karnataka. He said only 29 treatment plants were functioning in Bengaluru and adjoining areas through which 80 crore litres of wastewater could be treated.

He said Karnataka needed 10 new treatment plants in Bengaluru and 12 in other areas, requiring around Rs 5,000 crore. He alleged that the Karnataka government was delaying the projects, citing financial constraints.

Anbumani said water from the Kelavarapalli dam was being used to meet the drinking water needs of Hosur and the requirements of the SIPCOT industrial estate. He added that around 8,000 acres of farmland dependent on the dam were also being affected by polluted water.

Jeevakumar of Budalur in Thanjavur district filed the PIL seeking a direction to appoint a qualified person with expertise in the Modi script to translate the remaining bundles of manuscripts preserved at the library.

In his petition, he said that the special Modi script was used for writing during the Maratha period. Though some documents written in the script were translated between 1970 and 1978, several documents were not translated.

Translation of the documents would reveal details about the history and economy of Thanjavur, submits the petitioner

He submitted that translation of the documents would reveal details about the history and economy of Thanjavur.

Hearing the petition, a division bench comprising Justices CV Karthikeyan and Sakthivel directed the Principal Secretaries of the School Education, Archaeology and Information Technology departments to file their responses and adjourned the case.

"I want to know the comrades’ stand on this case. Do they condemn why such a serious Pocso case was allegedly covered up during the previous government," asked Rajmohan.

The TVK-led government would not spare officials who had acted improperly, he added.

Reacting to this, Shanmugam said the CPM had no hesitation in condemning any failure to act on complaints and insisted that the government should investigate why complaints against Veeramani allegedly did not result in action under successive regimes.

Shanmugam claimed that a similar complaint had been made against Veeramani in 2013, when J Jayalalithaa was chief minister, and questioned what happened to it. He also referred to a complaint allegedly made in 2025, when DMK president MK Stalin was the chief minister, and demanded that the government explain why action was not taken.

The probe should not be confined to Veeramani if evidence pointed to the involvement of others, said CPM State secretary P Shanmugam. "If several children were taken at different points of time and subjected to such sexual exploitation, it indicates that a larger sexual exploitation network may have existed. It cannot be assumed that Veeramani alone was involved," he said.

Shanmugam demanded that police officers who received complaints, those who allegedly exerted pressure to prevent action, and anyone who helped suppress the alleged offences be brought within the scope of the investigation.

He also defended the CPM's intervention in the case, saying the party and the All India Democratic Women's Association had consistently taken up cases involving crimes against women and children.

"Wherever children have been affected, the CPM and AIDWA have been on the ground and fought for justice. We have never compromised on cases involving violence against women or sexual crimes against children," he said.

Shanmugam urged the government to examine the entire history of complaints against Veeramani and conduct a detailed investigation to bring all those found involved within the ambit of the case and ensure legal action.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a district-level education loan mela in Madurai, Viswanathan said that the Ministers and MLAs had been asked to visit educational institutions in their respective jurisdictions, oversee disinfection measures and initiate mass cleaning drives to prevent students from contracting dengue and other vector-borne diseases.

Asked about the delay in appointing Vice-Chancellors to State universities, the Minister admitted that the Vice-Chancellor plays a crucial role in the functioning of universities. “The CM is holding a series of meetings with the Tamil Nadu Governor in this regard,” he said. “Unlike the previous DMK government, which had an uneasy relationship with the Governor, the ruling TVK government was maintaining a cordial relationship with him.”

Viswanathan further clarified that the delay in appointing Vice-Chancellors was due to cases pending before the High Court and Supreme Court. “However, the government has appointed senior professors to run the institutions until the appointments are made,” he said.

Stalin made the demand after representatives of fishermen's associations met him at Anna Arivalayam and sought the DMK's support for their protests against the proposed project. He said the party would stand with the fishing community until the government withdrew the proposal, pointing out that the ruling government refuses to withdraw the GO despite opposition from the Left supporting the government from the outside.

"There are several places where the Secretariat can be built. The Omandurar Government Estate, constructed during the tenure of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for use as the Secretariat, is already available," Stalin said in a statement, suggesting that the hospital functioning there could be shifted elsewhere and the premises restored for administrative use.

Referring to reports that an astrologer had advised the Chief Minister to have his office facing the sea, Stalin said, "The destruction of the livelihood of thousands of fishermen for one person's desire cannot be accepted."

He also pointed to the presence of several schools and heavy traffic congestion in the area, saying a Secretariat complex there would cause hardship to students and the public.

Stalin said 12 residential settlements, including Mullikuppam, Srinivasapuram, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Bhavani Kuppam, Irudhayapuram, Selvarajapuram, Duming Kuppam, Nochchi Nagar and Nochikuppam, were located within about a kilometre of the proposed site.

He said 1,356 Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board tenements in Srinivasapuram were in dilapidated condition, along with around 1,000 huts, and recalled that the previous DMK government had built new housing for fishermen.

Stalin alleged that the government had issued an order for the Rs 1,200 crore project, while its ministers claimed that no decision had been taken.

He demanded that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay publicly announce the withdrawal of the proposal and instead provide housing for fishermen. "If the government proceeds with the project, the DMK will join hands with fishermen and launch a major agitation," he warned.

Addressing the centenary celebrations of the United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI) in Coonoor, Radhakrishnan said India, one of the world's major tea-producing countries, needed to leverage its strengths to enhance the value and global visibility of Indian tea.

“Competition in the international tea market had intensified, with Sri Lanka emerging as a strong competitor despite being a relatively small country, " he said. To remain competitive, the industry must reduce production costs, improve quality, introduce new technologies and strengthen training for tea growers,” Radhakrishnan said.

He stressed the need for the industry to move away from an excessive reliance on bulk sales and focus on building strong brands capable of securing a greater share of international markets. “Strong brands can help the industry secure greater value, better prices and more stable markets,” he said.

Radhakrishnan also called for the establishment of modern research centres equipped with advanced technologies to support innovation and address emerging challenges in the tea sector. While emphasising the importance of plantation workers’ welfare, the Vice-President said the growth of the tea industry should go hand in hand with better healthcare and working conditions for its workforce.

He proposed establishing healthcare centres equipped with medical consultation and diagnostic facilities for plantation workers in each of the four southern States. Radhakrishnan said the Tea Board, the Union Ministry of Commerce and other Central government agencies were prepared to extend assistance to strengthen the tea sector.

He urged UPASI and other plantation-sector stakeholders to jointly prepare a comprehensive project report and approach the government for support for research, technological development, branding and worker welfare initiatives. Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was also present at the event.

But the stoppage of the free LPG cylinder supply she had been receiving for years has now made it difficult for her to keep her humble kitchen running.

A resident of Vadivelampalayam near Thondamuthur, Kamalathal has been selling idlis for Rs one for nearly 30 years. She began her business using a firewood stove and switched to LPG cooking around 10 years ago.

Despite rising prices and the increasing cost of cooking, she has continued to sell the idlis at the same price. Her service has won her the affection and support of people from different sections of society, with several individuals helping her with assistance.

For the past several years, she was given free LPG cylinders by a gas company. However, the supply was stopped two months ago, leaving Kamalathal struggling to continue her service. Seeking help, she visited the Coimbatore Collectorate on Monday and submitted a petition to the district administration, requesting that the free LPG supply be restored.

“I was being provided LPG cylinders free of cost, but I do not know why the supply was stopped. I have come to submit a petition requesting that the cylinder be provided again,” she said.

The earlier list included MDMK general secretary Vaiko, VCK president Thirumavalavan, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore, Indian Union Muslim League national president Kader Moideen, and MP Durai Vaiko, as well as TVK functionaries.

Opposition parties had strongly objected to the inclusion of the names of leaders from other parties in the campaigner list.

Earlier, the ruling TVK was under fire from the main opposition DMK and the AIADMK for naming leaders from newfound allies in its star campaigner list submitted to the Election Commission.

After the AIADMK questioned the legitimacy of such a demand, the DMK and the saffron party had sought clarification from Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik over its legality.

DMK organising secretary and former MP RS Bharathi, after meeting Patnaik on Monday, questioned the inclusion of other party leaders in the TVK star campaigner list.

"Have the Congress and VCK lost their recognised-party status, or have they joined the TVK?" he asked, questioning the basis on which leaders of other parties had been included in the ruling party's list. He also urged the EC to take campaign expenditure incurred by such leaders in the candidates' election expenses, wherever applicable.

Bharathi also questioned the deployment of police personnel for candidates, alleging that the security arrangements were intended to address opposition faced by TVK nominees. He said the DMK did not require such protection.

He alleged that the bypolls were necessitated by the purchase of two MLAs and claimed that Congress leaders had been brought into the TVK fold after being offered ministerial berths.

Bharathi said DMK president MK Stalin's campaign schedule would be announced in the next two or three days.

BJP state secretary 'Karate' R Thiagarajan has also sought clarification from the poll panel on the issu