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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fire incident at the mechanic shop

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

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

Cars gets destroyed by fire

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

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

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

Firefighters efforts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The party will submit a representation to President Droupadi Murmu seeking to scrap the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and hold elections based on electoral rolls prepared before the revision.

The decision was taken at a meeting of DMK MPs chaired by party president MK Stalin. A four-point resolution adopted at the meeting stressed that electoral roll corrections should protect people's voting rights rather than deprive them of those rights.

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

The resolution also accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of functioning in a partisan manner and demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It called for a proper inquiry into his functioning, recalling the DMK's protests against the SIR exercise.

“The party's stand is clear on issues such as scrapping the SIR exercise and removing Gyanesh Kumar. The DMK extends its full support to democratic forces leading agitations demanding the withdrawal of SIR and the removal of the CEC,” the resolution said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police have collected the syringes and will send them to a laboratory to identify the substances used.

The stadium hosts various sporting events, including state-level athletics competitions, and serves as a training venue for athletes from disciplines such as badminton, basketball, cricket, table tennis and volleyball.

The general public is also allowed to use the facility for exercise in the morning and evening.

Madurai City Police Commissioner S Rajendran said the syringes appeared to be old and that it was too early to determine whether they contained traces of banned narcotics or performance-enhancing drugs.

“We will send them to the laboratory to examine the residue in the syringes and identify the substances used,” he said.

Rajendran said some bodybuilders were also reportedly using syringes to lower their heart rates before training.

Laboratory analysis would help identify the medicines or chemical substances involved, and further action would be taken based on the findings and other evidence gathered during the investigation, he added.

A senior stadium official said there was no CCTV surveillance inside the toilets and that cameras would be installed in the area soon.

The official said the toilets were accessible to the general public and cautioned against prematurely suspecting student athletes of using the syringes to enhance their performance.

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

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

The couple had two sons, Ganesh and Vignesh.

Suicide of the sons

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

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

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

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

A tragic decision

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

Neighbours found the couple unconscious and in a critical condition.

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

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

Police investigation begins

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

However, the Magistrate violated these directions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The State government has issued a notification stating that women who do not possess an Aadhaar number or haven't yet enrolled for Aadhaar must apply for enrolment.

"Brides should provide their Aadhaar details while applying for the Annan Seer scheme. If they have applied for Aadhaar but have not yet received their number, they should submit one of the 12 prescribed documents," the government said.

The prescribed documents include a bank or post office passbook with a photograph, PAN card, passport, ration card, voter identity card, G Ram G job card, Kisan photo passbook, driving licence, government-issued photo identity card and other documents specified by the Department.

The government has also outlined alternative authentication procedures when Aadhaar verification fails.

"If Aadhaar authentication fails due to poor fingerprint quality, iris scanning or face authentication should be adopted. If fingerprint or iris scanning fails, one-time password (OTP) authentication shall be used. If both verification methods fail, the government said authenticity should be verified through the Quick Response (QR) code printed on the Aadhaar letter.

The State government has already accorded administrative sanction for the annual implementation of the Annan Seer scheme.

The government has allocated Rs 812 crore as the initial provision in the Revised Budget Estimates for 2026–27 to implement the scheme.

The protesters, who assembled in front of the head post office, raised slogans against the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that more than 13 crore voters had been deliberately removed from electoral rolls across the country.

They accused Gyanesh Kumar of acting in the BJP's interest and demanded his immediate removal.

After the protest, the DYFI members attempted to advance towards the post office to lay siege to it. Police personnel on duty stopped them, triggering a scuffle between the protesters and the police.

The police subsequently arrested all the protesting members by force.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Spread across 6.98 acres, the seven-storey facility has a built-up area of 1.98 lakh sq ft and houses more than one lakh books. Designed as a modern learning hub, it features a digital library, a science centre, a planetarium, and dedicated facilities for children and people with disabilities. It also has an incubation centre, a STEM lab, and virtual and augmented reality facilities. The project was launched in 2024 by the then DMK government.

At the function, Vijay inaugurated 89 completed projects worth Rs 408.25 crore and laid the foundation stone for 144 new projects estimated at Rs 32.32 crore. He also distributed welfare assistance worth Rs 34.72 crore to 9,343 beneficiaries.

Vijay arrived in Coimbatore from Chennai by special flight at around 11 am and travelled nearly 11 km from the airport to Gandhipuram in an open vehicle, drawing large crowds along Avinashi Road. People gathered on both sides of the route to catch a glimpse of the Chief Minister.

During the roadshow, Vijay briefly stopped after noticing a family holding a photograph of a child. He enquired about their concern and assured them that he would look into their request before continuing his journey.

At the Periyar Arivulagam complex, the Chief Minister unveiled a statue of social reformer Periyar and toured the facility, inspecting its various sections and interacting with students who demonstrated scientific exhibits. A robot that raised both arms to welcome him drew visitors' attention.

Meanwhile, Vijay's planned helicopter trip to Thrissur in Kerala was cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions. Two helicopters had been stationed at the PRS Grounds in Coimbatore for the journey, but heavy rain in Coimbatore and parts of Kerala disrupted the travel plans. The Chief Minister later flew from Coimbatore Airport to Chennai.

Despite heavy rain towards the end of the programme, crowds continued to gather outside the library and along the route to the airport to see Vijay. He waved to the public from his vehicle while holding an umbrella.

Elaborate security arrangements were made for the visit, with more than 2,000 police personnel deployed across the city. Barricades were erected along both sides of Avinashi Road to regulate crowds and ensure security during the roadshow.

Following the inauguration, Vijay made the first entry in the visitors' book, writing in English: "Learn More, Fear Less." Ministers N Anand, KA Sengottaiyan, A Rajmohan, V Sampath Kumar and K Vignesh, along with senior officials, attended the function.

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.