The arrested persons were identified as N Boopalan (42), an advocate and TVK Nagapattinam district executive committee member from Chinthamani Main Road near Velankanni, J Sughan alias Suganathan (27) of Prathaparamanallur. His brother, J Parthiban (29), and D Sathish (30), of the same locality, were detained for inquiry.

Acting on intelligence inputs about the smuggling of methamphetamine from Nagapattinam to Sri Lanka, a 16-member DRI team raided Sughan's house at Prathaparamanallur around 6 am on Friday. After questioning Sughan, his brother and their associates, officials reportedly identified Boopalan as the alleged mastermind behind the operation.

A separate team of eight officials subsequently searched Boopalan's house. The investigation revealed that Sughan operated a lodging facility in Velankanni on a lease and that Boopalan's wife was from Sri Lanka. Officials suspect that the Sri Lankan connection was used to facilitate the alleged smuggling operation.

The investigation also indicated that Boopalan had been involved in drug trafficking for a few months along with Sughan, Parthiban and Sathish. The drugs were reportedly transported from Chennai and were being stored for distribution to various parts of Tamil Nadu. The DRI seized the contraband and arrested all four after the searches and questioning.

The accused and the seized drugs were taken to the Nagapattinam Customs office for further investigation.

Meanwhile, TVK Nagapattinam district secretary M Sugumaran announced Boopalan's removal from the party's primary membership and all responsibilities, citing allegations of involvement in high-grade narcotics trafficking and conduct contrary to the party's principles. He also urged party cadres to sever ties with Boopalan, who had served as the party's in-charge for the Kilvelur Assembly constituency during the 2026 Assembly elections.

Bagyalakshmi, 60, of Pollachi, died of suffocation after rainwater entered her house while she was asleep. She was alone at home and was reportedly unaware that water was flooding the house. “She continued sleeping as the water entered the house,” police said.

The Pollachi East police have registered a case and are investigating the incident.

In another tragedy, Mariyal, 53, wife of Perumal, 60, of Rettipalayam near Kangeyam in Tirupur district, died after a tamarind tree fell on her on Thursday night.

She had gone out to buy milk near the Rettipalayam bus stop when heavy rain began. Seeking shelter, she stood under a tamarind tree, a branch of which fell and trapped her beneath it. Hearing her cries, local residents rushed to her rescue and took her to the Kangeyam Government Hospital. However, she died on the way.

Meanwhile, two people trapped in a car in the swollen Ranganathapuram stream near Eachanari in Coimbatore were rescued safely by emergency personnel.

In the Nilgiris, continuous rain and strong winds led to tree falls and disrupted traffic at several places in Coonoor and its surrounding areas.

A huge tree fell across the Coonoor–Mettupalayam National Highway near Periya Kurumbadi, obstructing traffic and damaging an electric pole.

Personnel from the Coonoor Fire and Rescue Services cleared the tree and restored traffic. In a separate incident, a tree fell across the Adderly Road, disrupting vehicular movement. Fire and rescue personnel removed the tree and cleared the road.

Narasimhan, the Executive Officer (EO) of Vigneshwara Vagaiyara Temple (Idumban Temple) under the Palani Town Police Station limits, lodged a formal complaint on May 30, 2024, stating that 20.5 sovereigns of gold jewellery and 3 kg of silver articles kept in the EO's office safe were missing.

Following the complaint, special teams were formed under the supervision of Deputy Superintendent of Police Devaraj, comprising Inspector Thangamuniasamy and Sub-Inspector Chandran, to probe the case from multiple angles.

Addressing the media, Dindigul Superintendent of Police (SP) Jeyakumar stated that acting on a tip-off, police apprehended a woman who had previously worked as a computer operator at the temple office and had subsequently been terminated, along with her male associate, identified as Prabakaran.

During interrogation, the duo confessed to stealing the valuables. Police investigations revealed that the theft was carried out gradually over several months between February and May, rather than in a single instance.

The former staff member had gained access to the safe keys kept inside the Executive Officer's bag during office hours.

The stolen gold ornaments and silver items, including a silver spear (vel) and armour (kavasam), had been melted down and sold. Police tracked the locations where the ornaments were disposed of and recovered the melted gold (20.5 sovereigns) and silver ingots/articles weighing approximately 2.9 to 3 kg, he said.

Both accused have been remanded in custody, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the involvement of others, including those who melted and purchased the stolen valuables. 

The Bench of Justices P Velmurugan and R Poornima also asked the Government Advocate to obtain instructions on whether CCTV cameras will be installed on drinking water tanks in schools to prevent such incidents.

The court issued the direction on a petition filed by T Balakrishnan of Madurai, who sought the constitution of an independent team to investigate the incident reported at the school.

The petitioner contended that the headmaster noticed the contamination when the staff checked the tank after the school reopened on October 5 following the quarterly examination holidays.

However, the petitioner said the headmaster did not inform the competent authority to register a criminal complaint or to ensure that material evidence was preserved. Instead, he allegedly cleaned the tank immediately to conceal the incident, an act the petitioner described as strongly condemnable.

The incident came to public attention only on October 8, when parents confronted the school staff. The petitioner sought appropriate action against the headmaster.

The petitioner also said that, according to a newspaper report, a similar incident had occurred at a Government Higher Secondary School at Thangampatti in Dindigul district. Such recurrence, he said, raised serious apprehension that government school children from marginalised communities were being subjected to deliberate acts intended to endanger their health and dignity.

He recalled the Vengaivayal incident in Pudukkottai district, where human faeces were found in a drinking water tank, causing widespread outrage across the state.

When the case came up for hearing, the State submitted that two students from the same locality had been identified as having mixed excreta in the tank, and that the investigation was underway.

The Bench observed that the mixing of excreta into drinking water tanks in schools had become routine, and said it was distressing that students from the same locality were involved. The court then adjourned the case.

In a statement, Tagore claimed that Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), who are expected to function impartially in the electoral process, had themselves become complainants by generating the forms using their digital signatures. He pointed out that, according to the Election Manual 2024, electoral officials were not permitted to file Form 7 applications independently, which are used to raise objections to the inclusion of names in electoral rolls.

He also alleged that the software had bypassed the rule that objections could be raised only by another voter registered in the same constituency.

Accusing the Election Commission of acting at the behest of the BJP-led Union government, Tagore demanded that it disclose who authorised the automated generation of the forms.

He also called for the publication of complete State-wise and constituency-wise lists of voters whose names had been deleted through the alleged process. The Commission must immediately restore the names of voters removed without proper field verification, he said.

Tagore added that the Congress would continue its struggle to protect voting rights and safeguard democracy from political interference.

According to the protesting members, after ED searches and subsequent filing of cases against the sand quarries, they have been closed since 2023, and so the sand transportation has been stopped, and more than 55,000 lorry owners and drivers across the state, including the bullock cart owners, have lost their livelihood.

They demanded to reopen the closed sand quarries. They said that they had approached the officials several times but in vain.

On Friday, around 500 members assembled in front of the PWD office in Tiruchy and staged a protest. Suddenly, they attempted to besiege the office, and the police who were deployed prevented them.

While speaking to reporters, the sand lorry owners association president Chella Rasamani said the court has not ordered the closure of the sand quarries. He said that the state government should ensure the livelihood of the people depending on sand quarries.

“We have sent petitions to the government several times, but no step has so far been initiated”, Rasamani said. He appealed to the state government to pay heed to their demands and ensure their livelihood; otherwise, the protests would be intensified across the state, he warned.

In a statement, Stalin said the move to cover the name was an attempt to hide something that could not be erased, comparing it to trying to block the sun with one's palm.

He said that the word 'Mudhalvan' continued to remind people of him, even after another person became Chief Minister, reflecting the success of the Naan Mudhalvan scheme.

Stalin criticised the ruling establishment, alleging that it was uncomfortable with intellectual and scientific pursuits. He expressed confidence that the libraries established and books published during the DMK regime would help overcome ignorance.

Describing Periyar Arivulagam as a potential landmark for Coimbatore, Stalin urged residents to visit the facility regularly and bring their relatives and friends, just as they had visited Semmozhi Poonga, another project opened during the DMK government.

Stalin criticised the ruling establishment as a group with no connection to intellectual pursuits and an aversion to an enlightened society. He asserted that its rule would end and expressed confidence that the libraries established and books published during the DMK regime would help bring about that change.

Party president MK Stalin is set to consult the party’s Members of Parliament on Saturday, amid uncertainty over its national-level political alignments.

On Friday, Kanimozhi backed the young protesters and said Stalin had opposed the revision exercise even before the Assembly elections.

“Ministers are criticising the DMK over the SIR issue because they do not have the courage to oppose the BJP, which is responsible for the SIR exercise,” she said.

The DMK will convene a consultative meeting of its MPs, including Rajya Sabha members, at Anna Arivalayam in Chennai. In a statement, party general secretary Duraimurugan asked all MPs to attend without fail.

Though the statement did not specify the agenda, party sources said Stalin was likely to discuss the prospects of forming an alternative political front. DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi has already held talks with parties outside the INDIA bloc as part of the exploratory exercise.

The deliberations matter as the DMK weighs its options amid the challenge of sustaining its existing national-level partnerships while exploring alternatives. The party has also stepped up its criticism of the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, even though it avoided sharing the stage with Congress, which deserted its alliance in the State, extending support to youth groups protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the poll panel.

Saturday’s meeting is expected to provide Stalin an opportunity to assess the party’s national-level political strategy, including the prospects of a broader alternative alliance and the next steps in its discussions with other parties.

Upon assurance from the state government that permission would be granted for marches scheduled on October 25 and November 1, the court closed the petition.

Justice V Lakshminarayanan closed the petition after Advocate General Vijay Narayan assured the court that the police would decide on the applications by October 19, after considering the organisers' representations and the details furnished by them.

The court was hearing the petition filed by RSS North Tamil Nadu state secretary VG Jagadeesan seeking permission to conduct route marches followed by public meetings across the state on October 18, October 25 and November 1, 2026.

Jagadeesan contended that despite submitting a representation to the DGP on October 3, seeking directions to all police commissioners and superintendents of police to grant permission for the marches, no directions were issued.

During the hearing, the Advocate General submitted that the processions scheduled for October 25 and November 1 could be held, subject to modifications suggested by the police based on local conditions.

Directing the police not to reject applications citing the presence of religious structures, traffic congestion or the existence of organisations with differing views, the court cautioned against delaying decisions on applications.

The court also urged RSS to submit its applications well in advance, observing that the organisers were aware of the date of Vijayadashami.

The arrested persons were identified as N Nagarajan (28), son of Arumugam, of North Chidambara Nagar in Sankar Nagar, Tirunelveli, and Muthuselvan (23) of Sivarajapuram in Melapalayam. Police are searching for the other suspects.

According to police, Ponnusamy (42), a native of Palayampatti in Aruppukottai taluk of Virudhunagar district, works as a manager at a public sector bank. He had visited Courtallam.

While Ponnusamy was using the Grindr app on his mobile phone, a person contacted him and asked him to come to a location near the military canteen at Achampatti, near Kadayanallur, police said.

When Ponnusamy reached the spot, a man who arrived in a car allegedly forced him into the vehicle and drove towards Tenkasi Road. Near the Idaikal bus stop in Kadayanallur, four more men got into the car, police said.

The gang members allegedly took turns assaulting Ponnusamy. They took Rs 1,000 in cash from his wallet and seized his mobile phone and ATM card, police said.

The gang then allegedly threatened him into revealing his banking password and transferred Rs 1 lakh from his account at the Virudhunagar branch. The suspects subsequently used a mobile banking app on his phone to transfer the remaining Rs 6 lakh, police said.

The gang allegedly drove him as far as Rajapalayam until the transactions were completed. They threatened to kill him if he disclosed the incident to anyone, before abandoning him at the Kadayanallur bus stand and fleeing, police said.

Ponnusamy subsequently lodged a complaint with the Kadayanallur police, who registered a case and are investigating.

Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy made the observation while allowing an application filed by TVK’s Salem (North) MLA K Sivakumar seeking rejection of an election petition filed by DMK candidate R Rajendran challenging his victory.

In his petition, Rajendran said Sivakumar used children in the campaign rallies in violation of the Election Commission of India’s February 5, 2024, circular. Also, there were social media posts of children and young adults putting pressure or even threatening family members to vote for the TVK candidate, which, he alleged, amounted to undue influence under the Representation of the People Act.

The practice is in bad taste and reflects poor parenting, and making reels out of such acts was cheap and politically motivated. However, whether they should be prohibited or made grounds for setting aside an election was a matter for the nation and Parliament to debate, it added.

Even if the allegations were accepted as true, exploiting family bonds and emotions could not overpower an adult’s free will. If adults used children’s persuasion as an excuse to make an electoral choice, it remained their own decision and did not undermine their freedom to vote, said the judge.

Holding that the leader’s appeal, the children’s subsequent actions, and the adults’ responses did not establish a triable issue of undue influence, the court ruled that the petition did not disclose grounds for granting the relief sought, and rejected Rajendran’s election petition.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the sponges found along the coastline display different colours depending on how long they have remained on the shore.

While freshly washed-up specimens retain a light red hue, those exposed for longer periods have dried and turned white.

The unusual occurrence has prompted fishermen to seek an investigation by Forest Department officials to determine the reasons behind the phenomenon.

Red Sea sponges washed ashore

The waters surrounding the 21 islands in the Gulf of Mannar, off Ramanathapuram district, support a rich diversity of marine life.

The region is home to around 3,600 species, including dugongs, dolphins, seahorses, porpoises and coral reefs.

The appearance of large quantities of sea sponges along the coast has drawn attention to the possible effects of changing marine conditions.

Fishermen have urged the authorities to examine the specimens and identify the factors responsible for their arrival on the shore.

Is it due to El Niño ?

Climate change and possible shifts in ocean conditions associated with the El Niño phenomenon have been suspected as potential reasons for the sponges washing ashore.

However, the cause has not been established, and further investigation is required to determine whether the phenomenon is linked to El Niño.

Fishermen have requested that Forest Department officials assess the situation and examine whether changes in sea temperature, currents or other environmental factors could be responsible.

Sponges are an animal species

A Forest Department official explained that sea sponges are invertebrate animals that generally inhabit areas around underwater rocks and coral reefs.

They feed by filtering tiny organisms and particles from seawater, playing an important role in maintaining marine ecosystems.

The official added that rough seas and strong currents have previously washed pandanus plants, algae and seagrasses ashore.

The recent appearance of sea sponges has raised questions about whether changing ocean conditions are contributing to the phenomenon.

Further assessment is needed to establish the cause.

The Rs 301.71 crore (including Rs 245 crore for construction, Rs 50 crore for books, besides e-books) was conceptualised and initiated by the previous DMK government to serve as a knowledge centre. Named after the social reformer "Periyar" EV Ramasamy, the 7-storey facility was built to serve as a destination for education, scientific learning, and research.

He unveiled the statue of social reformer Periyar at the complex and inaugurated 89 completed projects at Rs 408.25 crore, laid foundation stones for 144 new projects at 32.32 crore and distributed welfare assistance to 9,343 beneficiaries for 34.72 crore

Hours before the formal inauguration of the facility, DMK president and former chief minister MK Stalin posted a video on social media and stated that the project was the brainchild of his "Dravidian model government".

"What does it matter who opens it? Does the pride lie in inaugurating it? The true pride is in planning and creating something unique. That pride belongs to the DMK forever," Stalin said.

Chief Minister Vijay, who arrived here from Chennai by a special flight, held a roadshow on Avinashi Road to Gandhipuram ahead of the inauguration of the Centre. He traversed about 11.4 km from the Coimbatore International Airport to the venue of the function in Gandhipuram.

Massive crowds of TVK party workers and residents lined up along the Avinashi Road to welcome him. Police personnel have set up heavy barricades across Peelamedu, Avinashi Road, and Gandhipuram. A strict drone-flying ban is actively enforced along the entire stretch.

The chief minister later arrived at the Periyar Arivulagam campus on Dr Nanjappa Road, where he was accorded a warm reception.

He unveiled a huge statue of Periyar on the campus and also inaugurated the Periyar Arivulagam and Science Centre.

Vijay went around the science centre, digital library, and planetarium, interacting with local corporation school students on the second floor of the facility.

The foundation stone for the project was laid by Stalin on November 6, 2024. The initial construction and development framework were carried out by the Public Works Department (PWD) under the DMK administration before the change in governance. While the project was designed, funded, and started under the DMK government, it was officially completed and opened to the public today by the current CM.

The facility features over 1.25 lakh physical books, a digital library, children’s library, reading sections, and interactive science facilities. It is also equipped with modern computer systems, a vast e-book network, digital archives, and interactive learning media designed specifically for children.

Specialised study halls and materials curated for students preparing for competitive examinations like TNPSC and UPSC are available in the 'Arivulagam', meaning 'world of knowledge'.

The facility also houses a modern, high-tech auditorium built to host academic seminars, intellectual debates, and cultural events.

A security blanket was in place ahead of Vijay's maiden visit after becoming the chief minister in May, with over 3,500 police personnel deployed across the city. Barricades have been erected along Avinashi Road, the airport route, Peelamedu, and Red Fields, leading to expected traffic diversions throughout the morning, police sources said.

The visit marks Vijay’s first participation in a government function in Coimbatore since assuming office as Chief Minister.

(With inputs from Bureau)

The police rushed him to the Government Rajaji Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The deceased, Rajkumar, worked as a labourer at a dyeing unit in Madurai.

His daughter, a Class X student, was admitted to the hospital after she fell ill, police said.

During the examination, doctors found that the girl was six months pregnant and alerted the police.

During the subsequent inquiry, she allegedly told the police that her father had sexually assaulted her.

Summoned for questioning, Rajkumar suddenly collapsed at the police station, a police source said. Preliminary investigation suggested that he might have consumed poison.

Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari administered the oath of office to the two new judges at a simple function held on the premises of the Madras High Court. With their appointment, the total number of judges has risen to 67, against the sanctioned strength of 75.

Advocate General Vijay Narayan, Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan, Chairman, Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and leaders of various Bar Associations welcomed the new judges. In their reply, the two new judges thanked the Bench and Bar.

JUSTICE D LINGESWARAN

• Born: May 10, 1974, in Tirunelveli district

• Education: BA in Tamil; BL from Dr Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai

• Enrolled as advocate: August 9, 2000

• Judicial career: Directly recruited as District Judge in 2013 after legal practice

JUSTICE B KARTHIKEYAN

• Born: December 9, 1973

• Education: BL in 1996

• Legal practice: Predominantly civil side

• Judicial career: Appointed District Judge in 2005

• Previous post: Principal District Judge, Chennai

• Elevation: Madras High Court

The Left has urged CM Vijay to speak out on the issue and has asked the State’s public to join the movement. Speaking at the INDIA bloc protest condemning the “murder of democracy”, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam condemned the government’s action against student and youth protesters in Delhi in this issue, and emphasised that protesting is a constitutional right. He criticises the police and paramilitary forces for their crackdown on those fighting for democratic values and voting rights.

CPI state secretary M Veerapandian urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to speak out against the “injustice”, emphasising that the chief minister is the face of the Tamil people and has the influence to advocate for change.

He called for political action on the issue.

Speaking at a protest organised by the INDIA bloc here demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged manipulation of voters’ rolls during the SIR exercise, TVK leader and School Education Minister A Rajmohan emphasised his party’s “relentless opposition” to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process since its inception.

He said the TVK had taken legal action by challenging the implementation of SIR, including its rollout in states like Bihar, in the Supreme Court of India. Highlighting the consequences on the ground, Rajmohan alleged that the revision process has systematically eliminated millions of eligible voters from the electoral rolls.

He pointed out that the deletions specifically targeted youth under the age of 30, women voters, the poor and economically weaker sections, and marginalised communities.

According to Rajmohan, such targeted deletions compromised democratic transparency and undermined the integrity of Indian elections. Invoking BR Ambedkar’s

principles, Rajmohan reminded that democracy extended beyond governance mechanics.

“Democracy is not merely a form of government; it is a way of living that guarantees equal voting rights and dignity for every single citizen,” the minister stated, arguing that the SIR process directly violated these foundational constitutional values.

He called for perseverance and urged democratic forces and various political leaders to unite against processes that erode public rights and institutional transparency. Reaffirming TVK’s commitment, he asserted that the party would continue to fight using legal platforms, official reports, and public forums.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, Food and Civil Supplies Minister P Venkataramanan said that around 25,000 metric tonnes of fine-quality rice would be procured and sold through cooperative stores at Rs 30 per kilogram.

The announcement came after a statement by DMK president MK Stalin, who quoted a Daily Thanthi report on the price rise of essential commodities.

On the consumption of different rice varieties in rural and urban areas, the minister said that people living in urban areas preferred a particular variety of rice, which was being sold at around Rs 75 per kilo.

On the rising prices of other essential commodities, he said the government was monitoring the prices of all essential commodities, including cooking oil and chilli. He added that the government was considering reducing the prices of these products at cooperative stores.

This is the second major intervention by the State government in the recent months after selling onions at low rates.

Over the past few weeks, the prices of almost all essential commodities have been going up, putting pressure on already squeezed home budgets. The data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) last week revealed that retail inflation has reached a 23-month high of 5.54%, sharply up from the August level. The rural parts of the country are the worst-hit, with food inflation surging to 8.06%.

“Tamil Nadu has procured 3.50 lakh metric tonnes of paddy so far. During the corresponding period from September to December last year, 8.11 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had been procured. Compared with last year, paddy procurement will increase this year,” Minister Venkataramanan said.

According to sources, TKR Government Aided Middle School (TKR MS Ayyankadai Theru) has been functioning for more than 125 years at Manojiappa Veedhi in Thanjavur, and the classrooms are in dilapidated condition. As many as 35 students are studying, and five teachers are employed there.

It is said that a social activist from Thanjavur, Senthil Kumar, filed a petition with the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court appealing to study the stability of the school building.

Based on the petition, the HC bench ordered the Thanjavur District Education Department to inspect and submit a report. The court also instructed the officials to ensure shifting of the classrooms if the buildings fail to meet the fitness.

Based on the order, Chief Educational Officer Baby, District Elementary Education Officer Ayyakannu and PWD officials visited the school and said that a report would be submitted to the court within a week.

The school authorities said that a portion of the walls attached to the Thanjavur Palace compound wall, which is under the control of ASI, could not undergo any repair work. The school, which had a strength of 450 students, has declined to 35 at present.

Since the school is government-aided, the breakfast scheme has been implemented in the school.

The managing director of KTV Health Food Private Limited filed a petition before the High Court challenging the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation's decision to allot 80 lakh pouches of fortified palmolein oil to MGM Edible Oils Private Limited.

The corporation invited tenders for the purchase of 600 lakh one-litre (910 grams) pouches of fortified RBD palmolein oil after the State government extended the Special Public Distribution System from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. Eight companies participated in the tender.

The petitioner stated that MGM Edible Oils offered the smallest quantity of 150 lakh pouches among the four companies that matched the lowest (L1) rate. However, the corporation allotted it 80 lakh pouches out of the first-spell quantity of 200 lakh pouches, the largest share among the companies.

Based on its offer, MGM Edible Oils was required to supply 50 lakh pouches per spell. The allotment of 80 lakh pouches exceeded the permissible variation of plus or minus 10% under the tender conditions, the petitioner contended. It also questioned whether the corporation assessed the company's capacity to supply the enhanced quantity.

The petitioner has sought to quash the allocation and direct the corporation to distribute the first-spell quantity of 200 lakh pouches among the petitioner and the other companies that matched the L1 rate in proportion to their offered quantities.

When the matter came up for hearing before her, Justice PT Asha granted an interim stay on the June 29 order and directed the government to respond to the petition.

The court then posted the matter to November 2.

"People whose names were deleted during the SIR exercise can submit Form 6 to seek inclusion in the voters' list until December 11," the ECI said in its notification.

The ECI will dispose of the claims and objections received during the period by December 28. The final electoral rolls will be published on January 4, 2027.

The ECI has urged young and first-time voters to submit applications online through the voter service portal (voters.eci.gov.in) or the ECINET app to register their names in the electoral rolls.

The Commission said electors will electronically sign such applications using an Aadhaar-enabled e-signature facility.

During the SIR exercise in Tamil Nadu, more than 97 lakh voters were removed from the electoral rolls. The deleted entries included nearly 27 lakh names classified as deceased and around 66 lakh voters who had shifted their residences. Around 3.4 lakh entries were identified as duplicate registrations.

The SSR exercise will give eligible voters whose names were omitted from the electoral rolls an opportunity to apply for inclusion, and electors can raise claims and objections within the prescribed period.

The 465-km stretch of Chennai-Dindigul National Highway NH 38 (Old No NH 45) has a 675-metre high-level bridge across the Cauvery river in Tiruchy. This bridge was constructed between 1957 and 1963 and served as the major connecting bridge on NH 38. 

When the new Cauvery bridge was constructed adjacent to the old one, the old bridge was converted into a one-way line, and it was used for the Tiruchy towards Chennai section, while the new one was used in the Chennai-Tiruchy section. 

Due to the ageing, the bridge needed to be maintained, and so the officials from NHAI had announced the closure of the bridge for three months. Earlier, it underwent maintenance in 2010.

Earlier the officials announced that the maintenance would get completed within three months from June 25 when the work started until then, the new bridge was used for two way traffic. 

On Thursday, after around 3 months and 20 days, the old bridge was opened to traffic. Though the maintenance of the bridge was completed, the pedestrian platform works were underway, which would be completed within a week; until then, pedestrians are restricted along the bridge. 

Justice C Saravanan directed the government to pay Rs 20 lakh to the woman within two weeks. The Rs 20 lakh earmarked for her son must be invested in an interest-bearing fixed deposit in a nationalised bank or post office until he turns 18. The mother may approach the court for permission to withdraw the amount earlier, if she needs it for the child’s welfare or in an emergency, the court said.

On October 22, 2022, the woman was admitted to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital in Tiruchy for delivery. When complications arose, she was given blood from the hospital’s blood bank. She subsequently contracted HIV, and her newborn son was also found to have contracted the infection.

In a writ petition, the woman said she and her newborn contracted the virus from the infected blood from the hospital and sought compensation for medical negligence.

In a counter affidavit, the hospital dean and the project director/member secretary of the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society, Chennai, admitted that the donor was in the “window period” when the blood was collected, and that the infection was not detected during screening.

The window period is the interval after infection when the virus is present but cannot be detected yet by standard tests.

The authorities, however, said the hospital had followed the protocols laid down by the National Blood Transfusion Council and TANSACS for screening blood and blood products at the time of donation. The donor’s blood tested negative at the time of donation, and neither the donor nor the hospital knew of his infection, they said.

“It is respectfully submitted that it is an agreeable submission that the petitioner and her baby have been affected at large, leaving them with irreparable health conditions. But it has not happened with ill or willful intention and we don’t not have a scientific system to identify window period infections in blood products,” the authorities said.

To show the screening details, the government produced an internal communication of the respondents. It said the donor’s blood, collected on October 14, 2022, was screened for all transfusion-transmissible infections as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act standards and found non-reactive. This sequence of events strongly suggests that the donor was likely in the "window period" at the time of donation, when the HIV virus was present but not yet detectable by standard screening tests.

Hence, the respondents argued they could not be held responsible for the infection of the woman or her child.

The court had earlier directed the authorities to pay Rs 2.5 lakh as interim ex gratia assistance to mitigate the hardships faced by the woman and her child. The amount was paid on August 28, 2026. In a subsequent interim order on September 15, the court asked the authorities to consider enhanced compensation, taking into account the serious consequences of the infection for both the woman and her child.

Following these directions, the government agreed to provide a total of Rs 40 lakh as ex gratia assistance, with Rs 20 lakh each earmarked for the woman and her son. The court recorded the government’s undertaking and disposed of the writ petition on September 28.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Ethics and Politics in Coimbatore, Annamalai said the movement would field candidates trained to bring about change at the grassroots level.
“We will focus on addressing public issues rather than engaging in allegation-driven politics,” he said, while questioning the need for alliances when the movement intended to field its own candidates.

Asking why Tamil Nadu was purchasing electricity at Rs 37 per unit despite being a leading wind power producer, he criticised the government for failing to develop adequate energy storage infrastructure. “The government should explain how it plans to address the issue,” he said.

Appealing to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to avoid excessive barricading during his visit to Coimbatore on Friday, Annamalai said the Chief Minister was already popular and did not need elaborate arrangements to demonstrate his appeal. He also suggested that the Chief Minister set an example by allocating an entire day to meet people in Chennai in an organised manner rather than greeting crowds from atop a vehicle.

Referring to the Dharapuram bypoll, Annamalai urged political parties to introspect the low turnout, warning that declining participation could erode public faith in democracy.

The scheme document was launched by the Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay at the Secretariat on Thursday. It provides two tracks of incentives based on the Union government's Semicon 2.0 programme.

Under track 1, projects approved by the Union government will receive additional incentives from the State. The investment promotion subsidy will range from 15 to 25% of eligible capital expenditure approved by the Centre, depending on the project category.

Projects involving 300-mm silicon semiconductor wafer fabrication will be eligible for State support of 25% of the eligible capital expenditure, in addition to the Centre's 40% assistance. Advanced packaging projects will also receive 25% State support, while legacy packaging projects will be eligible for 20%.

The State will provide a 15% subsidy for semiconductor-grade raw materials, testing and characterisation facilities, and research and development facilities for semiconductor equipment. Manufacturing, assembling or refurbishing semiconductor equipment and components will also qualify for 15% State support, subject to the scheme's conditions.

Track 2 covers projects that have not applied for assistance under Semicon 2.0 or have applied but have not been selected.

Projects can receive fixed capital subsidies of 15 to 25% of eligible fixed assets and turnover-based subsidies of up to 2% annually for five years, depending on the category.

The minimum investment requirement ranges from Rs 50 crore, for certain semiconductor materials and packaging-related products, to Rs 500 crore for advanced packaging projects.

Additional benefits include training assistance of Rs 10,000 per person per month, payroll subsidies, land cost concessions, stamp duty exemption and electricity tax exemption for five years. Eligible projects can also receive a 5% interest subsidy on term loans for six years.

Companies must ensure that at least 50% of their direct workforce comprises Tamil Nadu residents and at least 60% of high-value jobs, defined as positions with basic wages exceeding Rs 25,000 a month, must also be filled by State residents. The proposals should be submitted to Guidance Tamil Nadu on or before September 30, 2027.

Launching Aavin full cream premium milk sachets and curd cups after inspecting the Tiruchy Aavin plant at Kottapattu, the Dairy Minister Vijayalakshmi said Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay recently increased Rs 3 for procurement of milk, and thus the milk procurement price has gone to Rs 44 per litre.

“The increase in the procurement price has satisfied the milk producers across the State, and Aavin will be procuring 3.5 lakh litres more per day in addition to the usual procurement of 32 lakh litres,” she said.

The minister pointed out that the Tiruchy Aavin was procuring 1.75 lakh litres per day and it has been increased to 1.90 lakh litres now due to the procurement price increase.

She also stated that the money has been credited to the milk producers with the deduction of Rs 1 per litre for insurance. “This insurance scheme would benefit the milk producers a lot”, she stressed.

Earlier, the minister introduced the 500 ml premium milk packet, stick candy and a cup of curd for Rs 5, which are new products of Aavin marketed across the state.

They demanded action against four police personnel who allegedly foisted a false case against him.

The deceased, Sankaralingam, a native of Muneerpallam in Tirunelveli district, was married. He reportedly had more than 20 cases, including murder and attempted murder, pending against him. The police had classified him as an A-plus history-sheeter, a police source said.

The Munnirpallam police had recently arrested him in a ganja case and lodged him in prison. About 20 days ago, he suffered a serious leg injury in a road accident and was admitted to the prisoners’ ward at the hospital for treatment.

On Tuesday evening, he went to the toilet in the ward and allegedly hanged himself with the lungi he was wearing.

Meanwhile, the post-mortem examination was completed on Wednesday in the presence of Judicial Magistrate Sathya.

Heavy police security was deployed at the hospital.

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The bail came days after they called off their indefinite protest on October 10, following an assurance from Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar and Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu that the State would appeal against the order quashing the chargesheet against the parents of the prime accused.

“Now, we have serious doubts about whether the State and the judiciary are acting in a caste-biased manner to dilute the case and help those who killed my son in the name of caste honour go unpunished,” said A Tamilselvai, Kavin’s mother, to DT  Next.

Kavin, a Scheduled Caste from Arumugamangalam near Eral in Thoothukudi district, was in a relationship with S Subhashini, a Siddha doctor from Tirunelveli. The Tirunelveli police arrested her younger brother Surjith for Kavin’s murder on July 27, 2025. The police later arraigned Surjith’s cousin, Jeyapaul, and Surjith’s parents, Saravanan and Krishnakumari, as co-accused.

On September 29, 2026, the High Court quashed the CB-CID charge sheet against the second and third accused, Saravanan and Krishnakumari. Counsel for Jeyapaul informed the court of this, but the court declined to quash the case against Jeyapaul.

“Has Jeyapaul done any service to the nation for the court to cite the delay in completing the trial as a reason for granting him bail?” Tamilselvai asked.

She said Jeyapaul had actively participated in the conspiracy, preparation and execution of the honour killing, adding that he helped his cousin Surjith, the main accused, destroy the clothes and remove the registration number plate of the two-wheeler at Jeyapaul’s quarry at Pappankulam.

The court, however, observed that the allegations against Jeyapaul pertained only to intimidation and aiding in the screening of evidence after the occurrence.

“Is it not ironic that the judge has cited the quashing of charges against Surjith’s parents to grant bail to Jeyapaul?” asked Tamilselvai, who broke into tears, saying she had not slept properly for the last one and a half years.

So far, neither Kavin’s family nor the advocate fighting their case has received any official communication from the two Ministers or their offices that an appeal has been filed. “The Ministers told us they would file the appeal within a week and inform us. But so we have not received any communication from them,” she said.

She expressed apprehension that Jeyapaul, now released on bail, might threaten the witnesses, as the second accused, Saravanan, had done after his release. A case in this regard was registered against Saravanan by the Dharapuram police station.

Referring to the Sathankulam custodial deaths case, in which the CB-CID investigated the accused while they remained in jail, Tamilselvai asked why the agency could not do the same in this case. “It only shows the caste bias of the police,” she claimed.

She further alleged that ever since the CB-CID began investigating Kavin’s murder, officials had been indirectly telling them that it was sufficient to punish the main accused, Surjith, and leave the others out. “That is why we asked for a reinvestigation of the case, but the court ruled that out too,” she said.

Tamilselvai, who is receiving support from various political and civil society members in her fight for justice, said she would first meet Chief Minister Joseph Vijay and request him to ensure justice in the case soon. “If we don’t get a proper response, I will not rest until I get justice,” she said.

Speaking at the event, CapitaLand India Trust (CLINT) CEO Gowrishankar Nagabooshanam said the initiative had strengthened the ties between Tamil Nadu and Singapore, adding that the company's association with the State spanned nearly 22 years.

"The company launched its first international technology park in Chennai in 2004. Since then, it has continued to invest in the State. Now, it has expanded its footprint into digital infrastructure," Gowrishankar said.

Explaining the significance of data centres, he said they served as the backbone of cloud adoption, artificial intelligence and digital services.

Towards the end of his speech, Gowrishankar referred to the Chief Minister's films while praising his administration. Referencing Vijay's films, he said the Chief Minister brought "Kushi" and described the audience's response as "Thullatha Manamum Thullum". He thanked the Chief Minister, his colleagues and bureaucrats, saying they were working in "beast mode" to make the government the "Greatest of All Time", another reference to the actor's film.

Industries Minister S Keerthana, who spoke after him, highlighted emerging industrial sectors in Tamil Nadu and recalled the State Budget's announcement of a semiconductor scheme.

"Tamil Nadu would welcome Singapore companies to invest in emerging sectors such as semiconductors," she said.

The new data centre will deliver 53 MW of gross power capacity upon completion by the end of 2026.

The statement said it marked another important milestone in CLINT's diversification into digital infrastructure. "With a total planned investment of approximately Rs 1,940 crore, the development reflects our conviction in the long-term growth of India's data centre sector", the statement added.

AIADMK whip Agri S Krishnamurthy met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan and submitted a representation on behalf of party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, urging action against the government and ministers over statements allegedly encouraging defections. He sought action against the TVK government over alleged horse trading, after ministers’ recent remarks claiming that more AIADMK MLAs would join the ruling party intensified political tensions.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Krishnamurthy cited Minister Sengottaiyan’s recent claim that 15 AIADMK MLAs would join the TVK, alleging that such remarks amounted to encouraging horse trading.

Seeking the Governor’s intervention, the AIADMK has sought action over what it views as attempts to weaken the Opposition party by attracting its legislators to the ruling camp.

On differences within the AIADMK, Krishnamurthy said Palaniswami was willing to meet party leaders and consider their views and suggestions. He added that if Shanmugam wished to convey his concerns, he could meet Palaniswami in person.

Krishnamurthy said Palaniswami wanted unity within the party and was prepared to accommodate everyone to strengthen the organisation.

Krishnamurthy also downplayed the TVK’s recent by-election victory, calling it a temporary success and arguing that victories for ruling parties in by-elections were not unusual. Citing the AIADMK’s 2019 Vikravandi by-election victory, when it was in power, he said such outcomes were common.

In a demi-official letter to Jaishankar, Vijay said the Maldives Coast Guard had detained three mechanised fishing boats carrying the fishermen, who were bound for Thoothukudi district, in the early hours of Tuesday.

“I request you to kindly take up the matter with the Government of Maldives through appropriate diplomatic channels and facilitate the early release and safe repatriation of the fishermen and their boats,” the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, Palaniswami accused the TVK government of failing to respond promptly to the Maldives Coast Guard's arrest of fishermen from Tharuvaikulam in Thoothukudi district on October 12. He pointed out that Vijay wrote to the Union Minister only on October 15, three days after the incident.

The AIADMK leader alleged that the Fisheries Department and the district collectorate had also failed to take basic steps to gather information and coordinate relief efforts. He accused the ruling party of showing interest in fishermen only during elections.

Palaniswami said neither local officials nor the Ottapidaram MLA had visited the families of the detained fishermen or provided information about their whereabouts and condition. He added that the families had received no proper response despite approaching the district collectorate and the district Fisheries Department office.

Questioning the Fisheries Minister Sri Nath’s absence, he asked why the Minister, who had campaigned for votes during the by-election, had not responded to an incident involving fishermen from his own region. He also questioned whether the State government had basic details of the fishermen who had ventured into the sea in the three mechanised boats.

Recalling the AIADMK regime, Palaniswami said the previous government had acted swiftly and coordinated with the Union government whenever fishermen faced such situations.

He urged the TVK government to coordinate with the Centre to secure the fishermen’s release and ensure their safe return. He also called on the State government to send officials, the local MLA and the Fisheries Minister to meet the affected families.

Spread over 1.98 lakh sq ft, the seven-storey facility houses more than one lakh books and features a science centre and dedicated facilities for students. Vijay is scheduled to arrive at Coimbatore airport from Chennai by a special flight at 11 am, before proceeding to the venue.

He is expected to unveil the statue of social reformer Periyar at the complex and inaugurate completed development projects in the district, lay foundation stones for new projects and distribute welfare assistance to beneficiaries.

The visit marks C Joseph Vijay’s first participation in a government function in Coimbatore since assuming office as Chief Minister

The visit marks Vijay’s first participation in a government function in Coimbatore since assuming office as Chief Minister. After the inauguration, Vijay is scheduled to fly by helicopter to Thrissur before returning to Coimbatore and taking a flight to Chennai.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the visit, with more than 2,000 police personnel to be deployed from the airport to the library complex. Barricades have been erected along both sides of Avinashi Road, and drone operations have been prohibited in the area.

Ahead of the inauguration, the complex has been landscaped with lawns and illuminated, while roads along the route have been repaired.

Widespread rain was witnessed in Chennai and its suburbs on Thursday, with the city recording light rain and while suburbs saw moderate to heavy rainfall.

Addressing the media, Durai said northern districts are likely to receive below-normal rainfall, southern districts above-normal rainfall, and coastal districts normal rainfall.

The southwest monsoon ended with a 20% deficit this year, with Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and neighbouring regions experiencing below-normal rain and intense heat. Southern districts received normal rainfall, while interior districts recorded below-normal rainfall.

Durai said the southwest monsoon withdrew completely from all parts of the country on Thursday. Northeasterly winds have begun blowing over the southern peninsula, and the northeast monsoon has commenced over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka, Kerala and Mahe.

On the impact of El Niño, he said Tamil Nadu has historically received higher rainfall in such years, but the formation of low-pressure areas is likely to be low. El Niño conditions are expected to persist until January-February next year.

Moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning is likely in some areas in Chennai on Friday.

As per the forecast for Friday, heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, is likely over the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Dindigul, Tenkasi and Madurai.

Heavy rain at isolated places is likely over Erode, Tiruppur, Virudhunagar, Kanniyakumari, Cuddalore, Karur, Puducherry, Ariyalur, Pudukottai, Villupuram, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Tiruchirappalli, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Ranipet, Tiruvallur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Karaikal. The rest of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may receive moderate rain at many places.

On Saturday, heavy rain with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph are likely at isolated places over the Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Tiruppur, Chennai, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu.

Referring to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) forecast, he said the State may receive heavy rainfall from the first week of November owing to the El Nino effect.

After chairing a review meeting on precautionary measures taken by various government departments on Thursday, Sengottaiyan told reporters that boats and other essential equipment had been kept ready to rescue people living in flood-prone areas.

"Officials are reviewing the power supply arrangements at all government hospitals. Food will be supplied through Amma Canteens to needy people during heavy rain," he said. He added that the government was taking precautionary measures to minimise the impact of heavy rain and ensure that essential services were not affected during the monsoon.

Speaking to reporters after a review of the North East monsoon preparedness meeting at the TNPDCL headquarters, he said the final procurement decision would be taken after assessing the evening peak demand. If rainfall increases and power consumption falls further, the purchase quantum will be revised accordingly.

The state had planned to procure additional 3500 MW power at a cost of upto Rs 37 per unit to meet peak demand and prevent outages. However, cooler weather has reduced the use of air conditioners and other cooling appliances, bringing down electricity consumption.

With the northeast monsoon setting in, the power utility has stepped up preventive maintenance and emergency preparedness to minimise disruptions. Preparatory work has been under way for the past three months, with vulnerable locations mapped and teams and equipment kept ready for repairs, Nirmalkumar said.

The utility has also deployed additional teams in Chennai to attend to faults, particularly during night hours. Seven additional teams have been arranged for the city, while 12 teams will begin night patrols from Thursday to address high-tension power supply faults across 19 distribution divisions in Chennai and its surrounding areas, according to the review meeting.

As part of monsoon preparations, pillar boxes in low-lying areas of Chennai are being raised by one metre to prevent water ingress during heavy rain. Work at locations identified by the Greater Chennai Corporation has been completed, while around 40% of the work at additional locations identified by the electricity utility has been completed, he said.

Additional Chief Secretary and power utility chairman Rajesh Lakhoni, TNPGCL managing director M Govinda Rao, Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation managing director P N Sridhar and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, the livelihood issues faced by auto drivers led to widespread protests across the State. Even as drivers took to the streets in Kundrathur and Uthukottai, claiming the Vettri Payanam scheme is eating into their revenues, they were stopped from holding a rally in Tiruchy. The auto drivers attached to CITU announced a protest rally from Major Saravanan roundabout to the Collectorate on Thursday. Police refused permission for the rally and the protest, leading to condemnation over denying a 'democratic right.'

However, the Tamil Nadu Auto Drivers' Unions Federation staged a hunger strike near Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore on October 15, pressing for various demands concerning drivers' livelihoods and welfare. Following the protest, the minister invited representatives of more than 20 trade unions to the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) headquarters for discussions.

In a statement issued after the meeting, A Jahir Hussain, executive president of Urimai Kural Drivers' Union, said the minister had firmly assured the representatives that auto-meter fares would be revised before Deepavali. He had also assured them that the drivers' other livelihood-related demands would be addressed in phases.

"The unions' demands were already under the government's consideration and that the minister had assured the representatives that he would bring their legitimate demands to the attention of the Chief Minister for early action," said MTC in its official press release

The meeting also addressed the recent death by suicide of Ibrahim, an auto driver from Vyasarpadi. Expressing distress over the incident, the minister conveyed his condolences to the family and received a petition from Ibrahim's son, assuring him it would be looked into.

In a statement, the party president MK Stalin said social backwardness was the result of centuries of social structures and would not disappear merely because a person changed religion. It argued that denying Backward Class reservation to people who converted to Islam would undermine social justice.

The DMK called on the TVK government to take immediate legal steps to protect the reservation rights of converts from backward communities and ensure that their claims were considered based on their social circumstances.

Recalling the previous DMK government's initiatives, the party said it had adopted a resolution urging the Union government to amend the Constitution to extend reservation benefits to Scheduled Caste people who convert to Christianity.

It urged the present government to continue pursuing that demand.

The party maintained that reservation for Backward Classes (BC), Most Backward Classes (MBC), and Scheduled Castes (SC) should be determined by taking into account the social discrimination and disadvantages these communities face.

Addressing officials from Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Erode, Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Salem, The Nilgiris, Tirupur, Dindigul, Karur and Tiruchy, Anand instructed officials to monitor low-lying areas, water bodies, canals and storm water drains, while ensuring that desilting and maintenance works were completed to facilitate smooth flow of rainwater.

He directed officials to repair damaged stretches without delay, provide uninterrupted supply of drinking water and promptly address public complaints. “Public safety must remain the priority during monsoon. Officials should remain vigilant and respond promptly to rain-related emergencies,” he said.

The minister also called for intensified preventive measures against dengue and other infectious diseases, including eliminating mosquito breeding sites, maintaining sanitation and creating public awareness.

He also reviewed the implementation of the ‘Vetri Thamizhagam’-vision document action plan and stressed the need to expedite rural development projects aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening basic infrastructure in villages.

The Pukkathurai flyover is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 21 crore, while the Padalam flyover is being built at a cost of Rs 21.50 crore.

Ahead of the Ayudha Pooja festival, the Collector inspected Paranur toll plaza, Irungunrampalli, the Palar bridge, Pukkathurai and Padalam on Wednesday to review measures to ease traffic congestion.

At Paranur toll plaza, a congestion-prone stretch on national highways in the district, he instructed NHAI officials to repair the road and provide adequate lighting to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles.

He also directed the officials concerned to remove soil deposits and waste along the roads near Irungunrampalli and the Palar bridge, and carry out road repairs to prevent traffic disruptions.

At Pukkathurai, the Collector inspected the ongoing construction of the flyover and instructed the NHAI project director to expedite the work and take steps to open it to the public from October 16.

During his inspection of the Pukkathurai junction and the service roads near the national highway at Padalam, Veerappan directed officials to remove encroachments obstructing traffic and repair the roads.

He also inspected the flyover under construction at Padalam and instructed the NHAI project director to expedite the work and complete it before Deepavali.

NHAI Chengalpattu project director M S Chaithanya, Madurantakam Revenue Divisional Officer Narendra, Chengalpattu Deputy Superintendent of Police T Veerakumar, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation managing director Sridharan, officials from various departments and traffic police personnel accompanied the Collector during the inspection.

The four arrested are Muthusamy, 47, of Madathuvilai in Arumuganeri; his wife; Krupa, 44, who worked at the house of the society's secretary, Devaraj; Murugan, 62, an electrician from Shanmugapuram in Veerapandianpattinam; and Isakkithurai, 33, of South Manadu in Tiruchendur.

The arrests followed a re-investigation ordered by the court into the fraud, which allegedly took place between May 22, 2019, and August 24, 2021. The investigation found that gold jewellery misappropriated from the society had been re-pledged at various banks and cooperative societies in the names of more than 10 people, including Devaraj's car driver, domestic workers and friends. The institutions named in the investigation include those in Sethukuvaithan, Udankudi and Madhavakurichi.

The re-investigation is being conducted under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Saravanakumar and led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Jeyapal Barnabas, following petitions filed by victims seeking the return of their pledged jewellery.

The alleged fraud involved the diversion of bank deposits and the re-pledging of jewellery at other banks in the names of different people, amounting to Rs 29 crore, during the period mentioned.

Based on a complaint lodged by Valarmathi, Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Tiruchendur division, the EOW police had earlier registered a case and arrested society secretary Devaraj, assistant secretary Jhansichandrakanta Gnanabai, president Murugesapandian, clerk Sivagami and jewellery appraiser Arumuganainar.

The victims subsequently approached the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, which directed the Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies to immediately refund 30 per cent of their deposits. Money has since been returned to several victims.