The inspections were carried out by enforcement sub-divisions under the Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchy Enforcement Divisions, covering the Chennai, Adyar, Tirupur, Palladam, Coimbatore South, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Villupuram, Cuddalore, and Kallakurichi distribution circles.

The Chennai Enforcement Division imposed Rs 26.79 lakh as compensation, while Coimbatore imposed Rs 34.45 lakh, Madurai Rs 16.84 lakh, and Tiruchy Rs 19.67 lakh. The total additional compensation imposed on consumers was Rs 97,74,656.

The consumers concerned admitted to the offences and opted to avoid criminal proceedings by paying a compounding amount of Rs 3,77,500, said the corporation, adding that consequently, no criminal complaints were registered against them at police stations.

The utility said information on electricity theft could be reported to the Executive Engineer (Enforcement) through the following numbers: Chennai 9445857591, Coimbatore 9443049456, Madurai 9443037508, and Tiruchy 9443329851.

The organisation said the case came to the attention of police in October 2025 after a pen drive containing video footage allegedly depicting the sexual abuse of a minor was submitted. Though a Pocso case was registered, police reportedly filed a closure report after the initial investigation, citing insufficient evidence and difficulties in identifying the child. The Special Pocso Court subsequently rejected the closure report and ordered further investigation.

According to TNCRW, the renewed probe reportedly helped investigators identify the location, trace the survivor and arrest Veeramani and two associates in August 2026. The police have also reportedly begun examining the possibility of other survivors and individuals who may have been connected to the alleged offences.

TNCRW said the developments raised questions about whether the police explored every possible investigative avenue during the initial probe. However, it stressed that such questions should be examined impartially and must not be treated as proof of guilt before completion of judicial proceedings.

The organisation urged authorities to preserve and forensically examine digital and documentary evidence, identify and protect any additional survivors, and investigate possible facilitators wherever evidence warrants. It also sought confidentiality, counselling, rehabilitation and legal assistance for survivors.

TNCRW further called for continued judicial oversight and proposed a district-level Pocso case review committee involving representatives from the Pocso court, Special Juvenile Police Unit, District Child Protection Unit, Child Welfare Committee, District Legal Services Authority and civil society organisations.

It said justice must extend beyond arrest or conviction to ensuring that survivors are heard, protected and rehabilitated, while institutional failures are addressed.

Additionally, TNCRW urged the Madras High Court's Juvenile Justice and Pocso Committee to take a series of measures to strengthen the investigation and monitoring of child sexual abuse cases.

The organisation sought an impartial inquiry and requested that the probe be monitored by a sitting High Court judge. It also called for independent examination of the circumstances surrounding the proposed closure of the case and forensic scrutiny of electronic evidence, including its preservation and chain of custody.

It also proposed district- and State-level Pocso case review committees and a structured review of cases ending in closure, discharge or acquittal. The organisation urged stronger child-protection policing, Child Helpline 1098, forensic capacity, Special Courts and periodic monitoring of cases from complaint to final outcome.

The project will add two more lines to the Arakkonam-Renigunta section, which forms part of the Mumbai-Chennai High-Density Network and is already operating at around 120% of its line capacity. The section is also an important link for freight movement towards Ennore and Andhra Pradesh. The additional lines are expected to provide capacity for 7.21 million tonnes of additional freight traffic annually.

The route is important for connecting the Kudgi and Rayalaseema power plants with Ennore and for transporting automobiles to various parts of the country. It will also improve connectivity to key economic centres, including SIDCO Tiruvallur, SIPCOT Ranipet and cement industries in and around Arakkonam. The project is estimated to result in annual logistics cost savings of around Rs. 110 crore.

The project involves 12 major and 221 minor bridges, besides the track and associated works, and is expected to be completed within three years, according to the project details released after the Cabinet approval.

The project was among five multitracking projects approved by the Union Cabinet at a combined estimated cost of Rs. 10,021 crore. Together, the projects cover about 540 km across 17 districts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana and are planned for completion by 2029-30.

Of the sanctioned completion cost for the Arakkonam-Renigunta project, Rs. 1,504.42 crore has been earmarked for civil works, Rs. 225.58 crore for signalling and telecommunications and Rs. 206.46 crore for electrical works, including traction-related works.

The Railway Board's September 21 sanction order said the work has been sanctioned under the umbrella works for doubling, tripling and quadrupling of railway lines and other capacity augmentation works.

The decision was taken at a CWRC meeting headed by its chairperson Vineet Gupta after reviewing storage levels in Cauvery basin reservoirs, inflows, and the rainfall situation. The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), chaired by S K Haldar, subsequently endorsed the direction.

Tamil Nadu told the committee that only 42.209 tmcft had been realised at Biligundlu against its pro-rata entitlement of 57.190 tmcft, leaving a deficit of 14.981 tmcft, and sought the release of the backlog and questioned Karnataka's assessment of its available water.

The State also questioned Karnataka's water utilisation through canals, anicuts, lift-irrigation systems, and tank-filling schemes, seeking these withdrawals to be taken into account while assessing the water available in the basin.

Karnataka, however, maintained that it was unable to release any more water, citing severe distress in its Cauvery basin. Its four reservoirs had received 113.632 tmcft, against the 30-year average of 239.815 tmcft, a deficit of 52.61 per cent.

The State said it had complied with the previous CWRC direction to release 6,000 cusecs daily for 15 days. It submitted that 38.637 tmcft had been realised at Biligundlu against the ordered cumulative flow of 36.418 tmcft, resulting in an excess of 2.219 tmcft.

Karnataka further said its four reservoirs held 49.775 tmcft. After accounting for drinking water, environmental flows and evaporation, only about 4.775 tmcft was available for irrigation against a requirement of 23.40 tmcft.

It also pointed to Tamil Nadu's expansion of Kuruvai cultivation from 4.30 lakh acres to 8.41 lakh acres and its continuation of Samba cultivation despite the distress situation.

Karnataka said inflows had fallen to about 2,200 cusecs and that priority requirements had to be protected. The latest order comes amid a widening dispute over the alleged accumulated shortfall, with Tamil Nadu separately telling the Supreme Court that the current deficit was about 20 TMC. The apex court has sought Karnataka's response and posted the matter for October 12.

The water released from Mettur dam on September 1 by the Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay reached the Grand Anicut (Kallanai) on September 7, from where the water has been distributed to the Cauvery, Vennar and Grand Anicut (GA) canal. Despite the release of water from Mettur being stepped up to 12,000 cusecs, the farmers from the region have been complaining that the water has not yet reached the tail-end region.

To ensure equal distribution of water to the Cauvery and Vennar, which irrigate 6.5 lakh acres and 4.75 lakh acres respectively in districts like Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai, the turn system of water release was in practice, in which water would be released for six days into the Cauvery and the next six days into the Vennar.

Farmers said that the turn system would be practised only when adequate water reached the tail-end regions, and water has yet to reach the regions this time.

However, despite the water failing to reach the tail-end regions, the turn system has been started from Thursday. Accordingly, the release of water into the Cauvery was stepped up to 5000 cusecs, and it was reduced in Vennar from 3,500 cusecs to 1500 cusecs.

“We are frustrated by the introduction of the turn system in haste without even waiting for a month to flow freely so that the tail-end regions could avail adequate water”, said NV Kannan, a farmer benefited by the Vennar system.

He said that the cut in water flow would affect the ongoing cultivation works in the region as the major irrigation canals have not received water so far, and so he appealed to withdraw the turn system for now and release the usual quantum at least for 10 more days.

However, an official from the Water Resources Department said that the turn system would help to ensure fast flow to the particular system and support managing an equal share of water to the farmers. For instance, the farmers in Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai, who depend on the Cauvery, would get prompt flow for irrigation.

In a similar way, when the Vennar system is released, the farmers from Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam would get fast flow so that it would recharge the canals. “In the meantime, the farmer can prepare their land,” he said.

Schools will remain closed from September 26 to October 4. The department has directed education officials to ensure that second-semester textbooks are distributed for Classes 1 to 7 on the day schools reopen.

It has directed officials to make arrangements for the admission of Class 1 students in government and government-aided schools on Vijayadashami.

The boy, identified as Theerchithan, studying in Class I, was playing outside his house at Upper Parala Estate when a leopard emerged from the thicket and pounced on the boy. It bit him on the head and attempted to drag him away, said a forest department staff.

Shocked at the sight of the attack, the boy's mother, Nagajothi and another estate worker raised an alarm and rushed to his rescue. The leopard then let off the boy and fled into the bush.

The boy sustained deep injuries to his head and was rushed to the estate hospital. After administering first aid, he was taken to the Valparai Government Hospital and then shifted to a private hospital in Coimbatore for further treatment.

Officials of the forest department and education department visited the Valparai GH and consoled the boy’s parents. A team of forest department staff have been deployed in the area to monitor the movement of the leopard.

The forest department asked the estate workers to be vigilant and not let children play outside unattended. The estate authorities have also been instructed to clear overgrown bushes surrounding the workers' residential area.

In his statement, he said that the sexual harassment case involving minor girls is disturbing and raises serious concerns in society. Pointing out that the matter had allegedly remained hidden from public view for several years, he stressed that the police investigating this case must not yield to any external pressure.

Noting that the ongoing police investigation brought to light various pieces of evidence in connection with the case, he stressed that cases involving sexual crimes against women and minor girls should be handled with seriousness and in accordance with the law. He also said those responsible for such offences should face legal action irrespective of social or political influence.

He also called for an investigation into individuals who may have a connection to the case and those who helped conceal the matter. He also urged the government to ensure impartial legal action against all those found responsible.

His remarks came a day after the ruling TVK demanded an explanation from Stalin over the handling of the Pocso case by the previous government. The political exchange comes as the renewed investigation has widened, with police examining the conduct of officers involved in the earlier probe.

In a statement, Stalin said Veeramani had been arrested based on allegations of inhuman and degrading acts against minor girls and asserted that neither he nor anyone who had aided him or tried to protect him should escape the law.

"Everyone, irrespective of the position they held, must be brought before the law and made to face the maximum punishment," Stalin said, adding that the outcome of the case should be such that no one would even think of committing similar offences in future. He said no order had been issued by DMK government to protect anyone in the case.

Stalin said the DMK government had acted without discrimination in cases involving crimes against women and girls, with accused persons arrested, chargesheets filed and convictions secured.

Stalin urged the ruling party to stop what he called false allegations against the DMK and said the sole objective should be to secure justice for the affected girls. "The only objective of all of us should be to secure justice for the affected girls," he added.

Thoothukudi Collector Vishu Mahajan and Reddiarpatti MLA V Narayanan paid tributes on behalf of the government. Earlier, Daily Thanthi Group chairman S Balasubramanian Adityan garlanded the statue.

Executives and employees of Daily Thanthi, DT Next, Maalaimalar, Thanthi TV, Rani, Rani Muthu, and other group organisations also paid their respects in Chennai and other parts of the State and country.

A special commemorative publication brought out by the Nellai Thatchanallur Nadar Sangam was released by Collector Mahajan. Balasubramanian Adityan and representatives of the association received copies.

A welfare programme was subsequently held at the memorial, with materials distributed to beneficiaries. Ten meritorious students received laptops, while sewing machines were given to women from economically disadvantaged families. Sports equipment was distributed to four schools, and educational assistance and medical equipment were also provided.

Cash assistance was given for installing a pedestal for the statue of former chief minister K Kamaraj in Thoothukudi. A fixed deposit of Rs one lakh in the name of Dr Sivanthi Aditanar was also instituted for sportspersons winning State-level competitions.

The Tamil Nadu State Volleyball Association and Chennai District Volleyball Association introduced the ‘Padma Shri Dr B Sivanthi Aditan Cup’ for the State school volleyball championship scheduled to be held in Chennai from September 29 to October 2.

These officers are likely to be summoned for questioning in connection with the Pocso case registered against Veeramani.

Arun was Chennai police commissioner and Kannan the Additional Commissioner (South) when Tamil Nadu Congress’s SC/ST cell head MP Ranjan Kumar lodged the first complaint in 2024. Kumar claimed he gave the video evidence of the abuse to Kannan along with the complaint, while Kannan told the media that he had informed his superior about it.

“The IPS officers failed to take required action on the first complaint they received from the Congress office bearer, about which the department learnt only now. It was a significant lapse on their part. That is why they were moved to compulsory-wait,” a highly placed source told DT Next.

Compulsory-wait is a bureaucratic purgatory where the officers will not receive salaries, explained an officer.

The State police headquarters also placed assistant commissioner (Koyambedu) MA Yasmin under vacancy reserve. Yasmin, the then assistant commissioner of the anti-vice squad, had filed the closure report in the Pocso court in Chennai in February while investigating the second complaint on which an FIR was registered.

After fresh details emerged, questions have risen about the entrusting the second complaint in 2025 to the anti-vice squad instead of registering the case under Pocso Act and investigated by the special wing.

Meanwhile, facing relentless attacks from ruling TVK over his silence over the alleged cover-up that happened when he was the chief minister, DMK president MK Stalin rejected the allegations that his government protected the accused. Everyone responsible for the alleged offences in the case, including those who aided or attempted to shield the accused, must be brought to justice, he said.

How many people from Bihar are working outside the State?

Our government estimates that around 2.5 to 3 crore Biharis are working outside the State as migrant labourers. In Tamil Nadu, we estimate that around 10 to 15 lakh Biharis may be working.

Has the Bihar government made arrangements to ascertain the exact number of migrant workers in Tamil Nadu?

Yes. We are conducting a unique survey in 12 States, including Tamil Nadu. As part of this initiative, we will set up a separate facilitation centre in Coimbatore to estimate the number of Bihar workers in Tamil Nadu. A large number of people from Bihar are working in Tirupur, Chennai, Tiruvallur and Coimbatore as skilled and semi-skilled labourers. Once the centre is established, it will cater to the needs of migrant labourers working in Tamil Nadu, including medical and personal assistance. The government plans to establish the centre by the end of this month.

Does the Bihar government plan to bring migrant labourers back to the State?

We have several schemes for skilled and semi-skilled workers through welfare boards, including the Construction Workers Welfare Board. Around 20 lakh people have registered with the welfare boards.

People are moving outside Bihar because of higher salaries and better perks. We are trying to address these issues, and migrant labourers are slowly returning to their home State. Though we have fulfilled labour requirements across the country, Bihar is now facing a shortage of workers. There is a shortage of labourers in vital sectors such as agriculture and construction. We welcome our workers back to Bihar if they want to return.

You worked closely with then Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. How was total prohibition implemented in Bihar a decade ago?

The idea was not only that of our then Chief Minister. It was also an aspiration expressed by women across the State.

When the Chief Minister participated in a meeting of self-help groups, women raised the demand for total prohibition. Following this, the Chief Minister implemented prohibition in the State a decade ago.

What were the implications after total prohibition was introduced?

After total prohibition was implemented, the Chief Minister opened a large number of de-addiction centres to help people recover from alcohol addiction.

Around two lakh people were arrested for selling illicit liquor and arrack.

If the leadership has the political will, total prohibition can be implemented in a State. Our then Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had the political will and implemented total prohibition.

In an order issued by additional chief secretary MA Siddique, the Finance Department said the decision followed the Centre’s communication of September 23 regarding the proposed bank strike and the anticipated banking disruptions during the strike period.

The State government has directed heads of all departments to ensure that drawing and disbursing officers under their control prepare and submit the salary, daily-wage and pension bills for September in advance to enable payment on September 25.

The directive covers employees and pensioners under the State government as well as boards, corporations and universities. The September wages and pensions will also be disbursed through the banking system and Pay and Accounts Offices on Friday.

The director of Treasuries and Accounts has been instructed to take necessary action to facilitate the advance payments.

A copy of the order has also been forwarded to the Reserve Bank of India.

“Though the administrations have changed, it appears that the officers are protecting the wrongdoers by not initiating necessary action and by ensuring that the Government Order in GO.Ms.No.323, Highways and Minor Ports (HK.3) Department, dated December 24, 2010, is not made available on the website,” said Justice B Pugalendhi.

The judge said the Government Order was issued with the intention of ensuring the quality of road works by fixing responsibility on the officials concerned. However, it appeared that the order was not being implemented by fixing responsibility on first-, second- and third-level officers, the Court observed.

The petitioner, a Quality Control Assistant Engineer (Highways) in the Ramanathapuram Division, was held responsible by the department for the substandard quality of roads laid in six stretches covering 198.135 km of State Highways and 360.272 km of major district roads in Sivaganga district.

Relying on portions of the Government Order, the petitioner contended that responsibility for lapses in road works was also fixed on field-level officers at the first level, Quality Control officers at the second level and supervising officers at the third level. He alleged that he had been selectively targeted by the department.

The Court had sought details of disciplinary action taken against the three levels of officers over the past five years and in connection with the road works for which the petitioner had been charged. However, the status report filed by the department did not meet the clarifications sought by the Court, and vague replies had been furnished on the action taken against the officials.

“As a citizen, this Court is also travelling on highway roads, including rural roads. Most of the roads are not withstanding even for two years. This Court has also dealt with several cases on the allotment of road works by forming syndicates. Several thousands of crores have been spent for laying roads. However, there is no proper mechanism to ensure the quality of execution of works,” Justice Pugalendhi observed.

The Court directed the authorities to clarify how the department ensures the quality of road works in accordance with tender documents; the number of disciplinary actions taken against erring first-, second- and third-level officers in the past five years; the nature and details of action taken against such officers in the present case; the reasons for not uploading GO.Ms.No.323 on the Government portal; and whether the monitoring mechanism under the order is still being followed. The department has also been asked to furnish copies of any subsequent Government orders or instructions relating to the mechanism.

The case has been posted to September 28, 2026, for the report.

The Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department issued the notification on August 28, 2026, under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020. It was published in the Government Gazette on September 16.

The order permits Matrimony.com to provide Aadhaar-based authentication, including Yes/No and eKYC facilities, for users accessing its platform. It also allows a verified user indicator to be displayed on profiles.

The notification makes clear that authentication can be carried out only with the consent of the Aadhaar number holder. It also states that no service shall be denied to a user for refusing, or being unable to undergo Aadhaar authentication.

Matrimony.com must inform users of alternative and viable means of identification, it said, specifying a driving licence issued under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, a passport and a Permanent Account Number (PAN) card as alternatives.

The move follows permission granted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, after consultation with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), to allow authentication for the specified use case.

The notification said the measure is intended to enhance trust, prevent impersonation and curb marriage-related fraud through verified user identification.

The order came into effect from the date of its publication in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.

The Sikandar Avuliya Dargah is located atop Thiruparankundram Hill. The aathars (priests/caretakers) staying at the dargah are changed once every seven days, police said.

As part of this arrangement, Atthar Abbas, who is on duty this week, and his family members attempted to take ingredients to prepare tomato rice, along with garlic, onion and an electric stove, up the hill on Thursday morning to cook food there, police said.

However, police personnel deployed along the pathway to the hill stopped them from taking such items to the top, which resulted in a heated argument. The police said that only ready-to-eat food items could be taken to the hill.

Outraged by this, mosque representatives alleged that the authorities were repeatedly denying the worship rights of Muslims. They also said they would hand over the key of the dargah at the police station, police said.

Following discussions between Tirupparankundram Inspector Senthil Kumar and the mosque representatives, the staff proceeded to the Sikandar Avuliya Dargah with ready-to-eat items

Addressing a gathering of booth agents alongside Minister Aadhav Arjuna, Anand said that the TVK founder will address a select 5,000 members at 3 pm.

“Chief Minister Vijay is the reason why I won the election and am now a minister. Similarly, Maragatham Kumaravel is not the candidate in the Madurantakam constituency. You should keep in mind that our Thalapathy himself is the candidate,” said Anand, while addressing functionaries.

He rejected charges of buying the former AIADMK member. “They are saying that we gave suitcases of money to buy her. We do not even have the money to buy even a box. We did not give anything to our sister. Maragatham Kumaravel joined the TVK because the DMK and AIADMK were joining hands," he said.

Meanwhile, Public Works Minister and TVK general secretary for election campaign management Aadhav Arjuna on Thursday put the caste census at the centre of his campaign in Madurantakam, questioning the DMK's commitment to social justice and urging voters to ask why it had not conducted a caste census during its five-year tenure.

Addressing election in-charges and booth agents in Madurantakam, Aadhav said people in the State would judge political parties on three issues — secularism, social justice and governance. "The DMK speaks of social justice. Why did it not conduct a caste census for five years?" he asked.

Aadhav said the TVK government had ordered a caste census soon after assuming office and described it as a historic social-justice measure after 1931, even though the TVK government has said that it would be conducted only after the Union government completes the national Census.

He also attacked the DMK and the AIADMK, alleging that the two parties had sought to undermine the people's mandate. Rejecting the DMK's allegation that TVK candidate Maragatham Kumaravel had resigned from the AIADMK after receiving money, he said, "The DMK tried to steal the people's verdict by joining hands with AIADMK. Not us."

Aadhav said the present AIADMK was neither the party founded by MG Ramachandran nor the organisation nurtured under J Jayalalithaa. He questioned criticism of leaders joining TVK, saying former minister MC Sampath and others had joined the party in opposition to what they viewed as a dilution of AIADMK ideology.

He alleged that the DMK had underestimated TVK president Vijay before the 2026 Assembly election, relying on alliances and money power rather than on people, women and youth. He also alleged that Vijay's campaign was restricted after the Karur incident.

Seeking a one-lakh-vote margin in both bypolls, he said, "A victory secured through money is no victory. A genuine victory comes from people and women voting freely."

PAYANAM has been designed as a structured programme focusing on de-addiction, behavioural change, rehabilitation and reintegration into society, through counselling, psychological support, therapeutic interventions, life-skill development and rehabilitation support, an official statement said.

DGP (Prisons), Sandeep Rai Rathore stated that drug addiction affects not only the individual but also the family and society, and that the responsibility of the correctional system should extend beyond custody to include treatment, reform, rehabilitation and reintegration.

He further stated that PAYANAM is aligned with the Chief Minister's recent emphasis on creating a drug-free Tamil Nadu, with focus not only on awareness and prevention, but also on de-addiction, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration.

The prisons director also appreciated Chennai-based NGO, PRISM, for conceptualising and designing the PAYANAM module and partnering with the Prison Department in implementing the pilot project.

Addressing the participants, the DGP said that while the Department can provide the necessary support, counselling and opportunities, the decision to change has to come from within. He encouraged the participants to make positive use of the programme, develop their skills and prepare themselves for a better life after release.

As a pilot project, the implementation and outcomes of PAYANAM will be monitored and evaluated, and the experience gained will be used for further strengthening and development of the programme.

The Boat House attracts thousands of tourists every day, with several shops and hotels operating on its premises. Waste generated by these establishments is usually stored at a designated shed and collected by a private agency for segregation and disposal.

However, the waste had reportedly remained uncollected for several days, resulting in a large quantity of garbage piling up at the shed. The accumulation caused a foul smell and raised concerns over hygiene at the popular tourist spot.

Following complaints, municipal officials conducted an inspection on Thursday and found more than a tonne of garbage accumulated at the shed. The municipal staff subsequently cleared the waste and imposed a Rs 10,000 fine on the hotel operator for failing to ensure proper management of the waste.

“Under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, bulk waste generators are legally accountable for managing and processing the waste they generate and should not rely solely on the municipality. A notice was also issued to the hotel, warning against allowing waste to accumulate for prolonged periods,” a municipal official said.

Meanwhile, municipal officials inspected shops in the Ooty Central Bus Stand area and fined two tea shops for operating under unhygienic conditions.

The rule has sparked protests from some motorists who have objected to the three-minute limit. Vehicles, including cars arriving to pick up passengers, have been instructed to leave the designated area within the stipulated time.

There have also been complaints that some motorists who refuse to follow the rule have argued with parking staff. It has been alleged that some people have also attacked security personnel.

Videos purportedly showing such incidents have surfaced on social media, causing a stir.

There have been demands for appropriate action to prevent disputes and attacks on airport security and parking staff. Calls have also been made to take action against those who engage in arguments or conflicts with employees while the airport's parking rules are being enforced.

While the Tamil Nadu government told the apex court that it has already lost an early Kharif crop due to lack of water, the Karnataka government said it was facing a "terrible drought situation".

The matter came up for hearing before a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Augustine George Masih and Sandeep Mehta.

Senior advocate C S Vaidyanathan, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, said the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) must pass an order with regard to the shortfall to address the deficit.

"What is the shortfall?" the bench asked.

"According to us, it is 20 TMC," Vaidyanathan said.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the Karnataka government, said they were complying with the directions of the CWMA on the release of water.

"We are complying with whatever directions have been passed despite the fact that this is a drought year," he said.

"In the present year, we are facing a terrible drought situation. CWMA is an expert body and both the parties are heard there," Divan argued.

At the outset, Vaidyanathan referred to Tamil Nadu's application and said the state has already lost the early Kharif crop due to lack of water.

On September 8, the CWMA had upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC) recommendation directing Karnataka to ensure a flow of 6,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.

The apex court was told that Karnataka was releasing 6,000 cusecs as per the CWMA's direction.

"They (CWMA) must pass an order with regard to the shortfall," Vaidyanathan said.

The bench observed, "The right of the party to have their grievances adjudicated by the CWMA cannot be denied. They (Tamil Nadu) have raised a grievance about deficit and the CWMA has to take a call on that".

Divan argued that all factors were being considered by the CWMA.

The bench was also told that the CWRC was reviewing the situation every 15 days.

The top court asked Karnataka to file a response to Tamil Nadu's application within a week and posted the matter for hearing on October 12.

The top court had earlier asked the Tamil Nadu government to raise before the CWMA its grievance over the release of its proportionate share of Cauvery water by Karnataka.

On August 25, the CWMA upheld the CWRC recommendation directing Karnataka to ensure a flow of 9,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.

Earlier, the CWRC had directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12. The CWMA had subsequently upheld that decision.

The top court is hearing the Tamil Nadu government's plea seeking directions to the Karnataka government for immediate release of the water to it.

On August 17, the apex court had asked Karnataka to ensure compliance with the CWMA direction on the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu government had earlier said the state was not getting its due share of Cauvery water in a rain-deficient year.

The Joseph Vijay-led state government on August 3 approached the apex court seeking directions to Karnataka for immediate release of the water.

The state government, in its plea, claimed that the quantum allocated to it by the CWRC as well as that released by its neighbour Karnataka was very little.

Special Court Judge Ezhil on Wednesday found the accused, Raja Perumal (38) and Ayyasamy (56), both hailing from a village in Uthamapalayam taluk, guilty of the offense and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on each.

Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional three-month imprisonment.

The crime came to light in 2023 when the victim's parents took her to a local hospital due to an illness.

Medical examinations revealed that the girl was pregnant, prompting the hospital administration to alert the police.

Upon being questioned by her parents, the victim revealed that she had been subjected to sexual abuse and extortion by Raja Perumal and Ayyasamy.

Following a complaint filed by the parents, the Uthamapalayam all-women police station registered a case and arrested both individuals.

Pronouncing the verdict, Judge Ezhil handed 20 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a Rs 10,000 fine under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, ten years of imprisonment with a Rs 5,000 fine under Section 450 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and one month of imprisonment with a Rs 5,000 fine under IPC Section 506 (criminal intimidation).

The judge ordered that the prison sentences run concurrently.

Additionally, the court directed the Tamil Nadu government to provide Rs 7 lakh as compensation to the victim.

Following the ruling, the police escorted the convicted individuals to the Madurai central jail.

The bypoll in Maduranthakam will be held on October 6.

The TVK has nominated Maragatham Kumaravel, who had won the seat on AIADMK ticket in the 2026 Assembly polls. She later resigned her MLA post and joined the TVK.

Addressing a gathering of booth agents alongside Minister Aadhav Arjuna, Anand outlined the state government's commitment to swift public grievance redressal.

He said, "TVK founder Vijay will interact with booth-level functionaries at 3 pm."

Anand urged TVK party cadres to campaign door-to-door without fear and assure voters that essential requirements, including roads and drinking water supply would be fulfilled within three to four months.

"Every minister, in whichever constituency the chief minister assigns them in-charge, will stay for two to three days in that constituency alongside the Member of the Legislative Assembly to see what the people's needs and problems are, designating grievance-redressal days, and will get every issue resolved promptly," he promised.

Addressing the meeting, Minister Arjuna shifted focus to the government's broader policy milestones, asserting that the administration had successfully initiated a historic caste-based socio-economic census.

"After 1931, in 2026, our brother Vijay initiated the social justice census, the caste-based census. Is this not a great history," he asked.

The TVK administration formally announced the state's "social justice survey" (caste enumeration) on June 18.

However, the state government specified that the actual field survey will only take place after the Union government completes its own planned caste enumeration as part of the ongoing national population census. As of September 2026, the data collection has not yet begun.

Arjuna also accused the former DMK regime of deliberately neglecting this exercise during its five-year tenure despite repeatedly claiming to champion social justice.

Outlining agricultural relief measures, Arjuna stated the government had waived Rs 6,220 crore in farm loans and ensured minimum support prices for paddy and sugarcane cultivators, particularly benefiting the northern districts.

He also criticised the current AIADMK leadership, alleging they had compromised their party's foundational principles through covert alignments with the DMK.

Both leaders exhorted the cadres to secure a massive mandate for TVK candidate Maragatham Kumaravel on the 'Whistle' symbol. Setting a high benchmark for the constituency, Arjuna urged workers to secure 1.25 lakh to 1.40 lakh votes to ensure a victory margin exceeding one lakh.

The bypoll will also be held in Dharapuram on October 6.

Vijay conducted a review at the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) head office in Chennai on September 23, following severe electricity deficit issues. However, the very next day, outages plagued official events across the state.

In Maduranthakam, a power cut halted the speech of Minister Aadhav Arjuna. A video showing the minister instructing officials to "put on the generator," as the microphone got cutoff during his address, is being circulated online.

A similar disruption occurred in Dharapuram. Electricity failed while Minister K A Sengottaiyan was speaking at a consultative meeting. Notably, this was the second such interruption for both Sengottaiyan and Arjuna, who previously too faced blackouts in the middle of their speech.

The bypolls in Maduranthakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies will be held on October 6.

In a complaint to the Election Commission, AIADMK advocate wing secretary and MP I S Inbadurai alleged that election rules and laws were being seriously and extensively violated in the two constituencies.

The complaint cited television reports aired on September 22 alleging that cash was distributed at Reddipalayam in Acharapakkam union in Madurantakam to influence voters in favour of TVK candidate Maragatham Kumaravel.

Inbadurai further alleged, citing what he described as reliable information, that similar cash distribution and voter inducement were being carried out systematically across Madurantakam and Dharapuram.

The AIADMK sought a comprehensive field inquiry by District Election Officers, Returning Officers, flying squads and static surveillance teams. It also urged authorities to preserve television footage, CCTV recordings, field videos and social media and electronic evidence to prevent their destruction or alteration.

The complaint called for scrutiny of the campaign expenditure and bank transactions of the concerned candidate and political party to identify unaccounted transactions and verify election expenditure disclosures.

It also sought registration of FIRs and criminal action against all those allegedly involved, including persons who distributed money, assisted the alleged operation or acted as intermediaries, irrespective of their political affiliation or position.

The AIADMK urged the Election Commission to intensify flying-squad operations, checkpoints and surveillance at sensitive locations in both constituencies to prevent further voter inducement.

According to its election expenditure statement filed with the Election Commission, Rs 103 crore was paid to Pramanya Strategy Consulting Pvt Ltd for social media promotion, television and website advertising. The amount accounted for the bulk of the party’s Rs 109.61 crore propaganda expenditure.

The statement submitted by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami shows that the party incurred Rs 17.37 lakh towards travel expenses for star campaigners who canvassed at various locations between March 30 and April 21. The statement lists 13 campaigners and records their travel expenses.

Party chief Palaniswami’s travel expenses were recorded at Rs 1.75 lakh for the period from March 15 to May 6. The party reported Rs 4.14 lakh towards diesel expenses for his vehicle during the period.

The AIADMK incurred Rs 4.11 crore in expenses for publicity materials, including manifesto books and printing charges. Another Rs 1.28 crore was spent on public meetings, processions and rallies.

The statement records gross receipts of Rs 87 crore during the election period. It also lists Rs 2.78 crore for the publication of candidates' criminal antecedents. Including this, the party’s gross expenditure on general propaganda and candidate-related expenses stood at Rs 112.40.

The expenditure statement was signed and verified by Palaniswami, who said it includes all items of election expenditure incurred or authorised by the party’s state, district and local units and that no material fact had been concealed.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating the 2026-27 State-level inter-collegiate athletics competitions organised by the Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University at the Nehru stadium, Nirmalkumar blamed the previous DMK government for increasing the Electricity Board’s debt from Rs 1 lakh crore to Rs 2.5 lakh crore. He said the government was taking steps to prevent power disruptions during the monsoon.

On the pending appointment of vice-chancellors to several state-run universities, he said the functioning of several universities had been affected, and more could face a similar situation in the coming months. The government had introduced a Bill in the Assembly on the issue, but it was yet to receive the Governor’s assent, he said.

“As education is not in the State List, we do not have the power to make the appointments,” Nirmalkumar said, adding that several V-Cs' tenures will end in January. He maintained that the power to appoint vice-chancellors should rest with the state government.

On the proposed new Secretariat complex, Nirmalkumar said the proposal was at the preliminary study stage, and the department concerned will make an announcement. He assured that the government would not take any decision against the interests of the people or fishermen.

On the bypolls, Nirmal alleged that the DMK and BJP were working in tandem and accused the BJP of indirectly protecting the DMK. He also claimed that the DMK and AIADMK had initially considered fielding a common candidate but later decided to contest separately to split the votes. “Our candidates will win the bypolls,” he said.

The campaign, launched under the direction of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, aims to protect the palmyra, the State tree, strengthen the banks of water bodies, and raise groundwater levels.

Green Needa, ExNoRa International Foundation, the National Service Scheme (NSS), NDSO and Agni Steels have joined hands to implement the initiative, with NSS and National Cadet Corps (NCC) students from various colleges, volunteers and members of the public participating in the drive.

The campaign seeks to strengthen waterbody banks, plant palm seeds on vacant government land, prevent coastal soil erosion, raise groundwater levels, increase the production of value-added palmyra products and improve livelihoods through palm-based industries.

The drive will cover 37 districts, excluding the Nilgiris, with one lakh NSS students participating in the planting of one crore palm seeds. Palm seed banks have also been established in 100 colleges to collect seeds and distribute them to suitable locations, including the banks of water bodies.

Coinciding with NSS Day, 150 personnel of the Avadi-based Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), along with NSS and NCC students, took part in the drive. Volunteers, government officials, local body representatives and members of the public also participated in planting palm seeds.

Speaking to IIT-Madras Prof Mahesh Panchagnula on ‘The Prof. Mahesh Podcast’, Sanyal said career decisions were made amid uncertainty, where future outcomes could not always be predicted. He encouraged students to experiment, persist through difficult phases and remain open to changing course as circumstances evolve.

Sanyal distinguished between risk, where probabilities can be estimated, and uncertainty, where future outcomes cannot reliably be assigned probabilities. The consequences of an early career decision, he said, often become clear only in retrospect.

“I am actually playing on flexibility more than direction,” Sanyal said, referring to his own journey from studying economics at Shri Ram College, University of Delhi, to Oxford, financial markets, writing, and public policy. He said his career was not the result of a predetermined plan and that he had focused at various stages on eliminating options he did not want to pursue while remaining flexible about where those choices might lead.

He also cautioned against asking young people to identify their lifelong passion at 18, saying their limited exposure to available opportunities could make such expectations an unnecessary burden. Instead, he encouraged students to experiment with different activities, eliminate paths they disliked and remain open to discovering new interests.

On AI, Sanyal cautioned against assuming that even experts could reliably predict how the technology would affect jobs and industries over the coming years. Rather than attempting to predict every consequence, he said individuals and institutions should develop the ability to adapt as AI evolves.

He also suggested that higher education may increasingly need to support people returning to education repeatedly throughout their careers as technologies, industries and professional roles change.

The award is instituted in memory of K Mohandas, a 1956 batch IPS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, who headed the crime and intelligence department of the State Police as DGP.

Among the notable operations he conceived were ‘Operation Tiger’ to dismantle Sri Lankan Tamil militant groups operating in the State, and the ‘Naxal Operation’, which ensured that Tamil Nadu did not feature in the map of red corridor.

The honour was instituted by B Force, a non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian organisation and a charitable trust based in Chennai, formed to provide and facilitate the State police force and their families with medical assistance, specifically in the areas of management of cancer.

The trust was launched as a tribute to Mohandas and his wife Santha Mohandas.

B Force is headed and managed by the couple’s four daughters - Bindu, Beena, Biju, and Brinda – and Satish Jupiter as trustees.

Ramanujam received the 19th K Mohandas Memorial Award from Nawabzada Mohammed Asif Ali, Dewan to the Prince of Arcot, at an event at Amir Mahal on September 22.

Rituals conducted to honour temple horse

Following its death, the horse was brought from the stable to the temple premises, where devotees performed rituals traditionally offered to the deity.

Abhishekam was conducted using milk, curd, tender coconut water, sandalwood paste and vermilion.

Village representatives and members of various communities paid their respects and draped sacred cloth over the horse.

After the rituals, the animal was taken in a procession and buried in the grove adjoining the temple.

Earlier, turmeric water was sprinkled over the horse as part of the farewell rituals.

Women mourned the animal as they would a family member, circling it while wailing and expressing their grief.

Men performed a ritual bath for the horse and applied oil and shikakai to its head.

The emotional farewell drew devotees and residents from the 18 villages that regard the Ukrandi Amman Temple as an important place of worship.

Thirunavukkarasu, president of the National Sinthanai Peravai, who oversaw the proceedings, said the horse died of old age on the day of the Purattasi Thiruvonam star. He said the animal had received medical treatment until its final days.

Given its long association with the temple and the surrounding villages, devotees decided to honour it with rituals and prayers traditionally offered to the deity before laying it to rest.

The project will add two more lines to the Arakkonam-Renigunta section, which forms part of the Mumbai-Chennai High-Density Network and is already operating at around 120% of its line capacity.

The section is also an important link for freight movement towards Ennore and Andhra Pradesh.

The additional lines are expected to provide capacity for 7.21 million tonnes of additional freight traffic annually.

It will also improve connectivity to key economic centres, including SIDCO Tiruvallur, SIPCOT Ranipet and cement industries in and around Arakkonam.

The project is estimated to result in annual logistics cost savings of around Rs 110 crore.

The project involves 12 major and 221 minor bridges, besides the track and associated works.

Of the sanctioned completion cost, Rs 1,504.42 crore has been earmarked for civil works, Rs 225.58 crore for signalling and telecommunications and Rs 206.46 crore for electrical works, including traction-related works.

The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan, in its order on Thursday, noted that the relief sought could not be granted. “It is for the legislature to legislate. We cannot legislate,” the bench said while dismissing the plea.

Advocate K Suthan of Saidapet had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Madras High Court, seeking a stay on the bye-elections to the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies.

In his petition, Suthan contended that when an elected representative resigns shortly after an election for personal or political reasons, a statutory restriction should be considered to prevent the person from contesting elections to Parliament or a State Legislative Assembly for the next five years.

He submitted that public money is spent on conducting elections and that its economical and responsible use is a matter of public interest. He also argued that the electorate’s mandate cannot be treated as a personal political asset that can be abandoned shortly after an election without considering the consequences for voters and the public exchequer.

The petitioner contended that Kumaravel and Sathyabama should not be allowed to contest, as they resigned for political reasons and were causing additional public expenditure.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s senior counsel, R Singaravelan, submitted that if an MLA resigns and stays at home, no questions would be raised about it. However, since they resign and contest elections again, the Election Commission should frame rules taking this into consideration.

Election Commission of India counsel Niranajan Rajagopalan submitted that after the declaration of election results, the Commission has no role to play and that the petition was not maintainable.

He also submitted that there is no provision to recover bye-election expenses from MLAs who have resigned.

After hearing all the parties, the bench reserved the orders on September 21.

Sources said, R Prabakaran (30), resident from Rasikulam in Ramanathapuram along with A Karthi (38) from Muthukulathur, his wife Surya (35), K Kaleeswaran (25), S John Kennedy (35), R Saranya (23) who were working in a construction site in Chennai came to their native place to attend a wedding function on September 17 and on Wednesday, they were returning to Chennai by a rented car.

When they were nearing the four road junction in Perambalur at Tiruchy-Chennai bypass on Thursday early hours, M Kannadasan (22), the car driver lost his control and rammed into an omni bus bound from Thoothukudi to Chennai in which Prabakaran and Kaleeswaran died on the spot while the others sustained severe injuries.

On information, Perambalur police rushed to the spot and retrieved the bodies and sent them to the Perambalur GH. However, Karthi died despite treatment. Meanwhile, Karthi’s wife Surya who was in a critical condition was referred to Tiruchy GH but she also died in the GH.

The injured including the car driver have been undergoing treatment in Perambalur GH. The police who registered a case, arrested the Omni bus driver S Rajaseelan (45) from Eral in Thoothukudi. Further investigations are on.

Pension payments to 33.85 lakh beneficiaries have been successfully processed and released this month under the new Aadhaar-based payment system through SNA-SPARSH, which came into effect in September in accordance with central government guidelines. The transition to the new system is being carried out in coordination with the departments concerned, banks, and other government agencies.

However, a few of them have faced difficulties due to their Aadhaar number not being linked to their bank account, the linked account being inactive, or incorrect or incomplete bank and Aadhaar details.

Appropriate corrective measures were being taken and they have also been informed through SMS on their registered mobile numbers, it said, adding that special camps and help desks have been set up at all taluk offices to provide immediate assistance, particularly to elderly pensioners.

Those yet to receive their pension were advised to approach the nearest special camp or the Social Security Scheme (SSS) help desk at the taluk office, where officials would help check the status of pension payment, verify Aadhaar-bank account linkage, and identify the corrective measures required.

The government has put in place several mechanisms to address grievances, including SMS alerts, bank-level corrections, taluk-level special camps and dedicated help desks, said the government.

The transition to SNA-SPARSH was being continuously monitored and steps were being taken to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive their pension without unnecessary difficulties, it added.

The rally will begin near Chitra Theatre in Egmore at 3 pm on September 26. The unions will submit a petition to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, he said.

Balasubramaniam said auto fares had not been revised for 14 years and alleged that the transport minister had failed to implement assurances given to unions during discussions on the issue.

At a meeting attended by representatives of over 45 unions, consumer groups and senior transport officials, the unions proposed Rs 60 for the first 1.5 km and Rs 30 for every subsequent kilometre, apart from a waiting charge and higher night fare.

He said the proposal was accepted by the participants, but the government subsequently sought the unions' views several more times.

"More than 133 days have passed since the new government assumed office. Despite assurances that the fare revision would be announced soon, there has been no decision," he said.

The unions are also demanding action against bike taxis. Balasubramaniam said they should either be banned or brought under a regulatory framework requiring fitness certification, third-party insurance, road tax and appropriate driver permits.

He said nearly five lakh auto-driver families depended on the trade and claimed that drivers were forced to work 12 to 16 hours a day to make ends meet.

The federation urged auto drivers to participate in the rally and appealed to the government to revise fares and protect their livelihood.

In a communication dated September 23, Commissioner of Transport and Road Safety Sigy Thomas Vaidhyan said the department had received several complaints regarding dealers collecting additional amounts from customers while selling new autorickshaws.

Citing Rule 43B of the Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the department said all vehicle dealers must display the sale price of vehicles, model-wise, at a location easily visible to customers at their sales outlets. The applicable taxes and other charges should be shown separately along with the displayed price.

The department warned of stringent action against dealers who collected amounts over the displayed sale price.

Their trade certificates could also be cancelled for violations.

All Regional Transport Officers have been instructed to immediately bring the directions to the notice of vehicle dealers under their jurisdiction and monitor compliance.

They have also been asked to take immediate action under the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules if complaints are received against dealers.

K Senthil Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary for Labour and Migrant Labourers' Welfare, Bihar, said the centre would be set up after a similar facility in Bengaluru. He was speaking to a group of Tamil Nadu journalists touring Bihar.

"After Bengaluru, the Bihar government will set up the facilitation centre in Coimbatore. Once operational, it will oversee the welfare of Bihar labourers working in Tirupur, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Coimbatore and Puducherry," he said.

The centre will coordinate welfare measures for migrant workers employed in both organised and unorganised sectors. It will assist, particularly during medical emergencies and other exigencies.

The Bihar government also plans to engage a dedicated agency to collect data on its migrant workers in Tamil Nadu, in coordination with the state government.

The proposed centre will include officials from the Tamil Nadu government. It will maintain data on the socio-economic conditions of Bihar-origin workers, Kumar said.

"Once the facilitation centre is established, it will cater to the needs of Bihar's migrant labourers, particularly by providing medical and emergency assistance. It will also collect data on their socio-economic status," he said.

Bihar is also planning to establish similar facilitation centres in 12 other states, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and Punjab.

CPI State secretary M Veerapandian urged the government to identify and prosecute everyone who facilitated the crimes or failed to act despite being aware of them. He said all available evidence, including reportedly seized video related material, should be secured and presented before the court.

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss also said all those who allegedly assisted the accused, failed to act on complaints, or attempted to suppress the case should be brought under the investigation. Referring to the proceedings before the Pocso special court, he said the investigation should be expedited and appropriate provisions invoked based on evidence emerging during the probe.

Makkal Needhi Maiam leader and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan said the case showed the extent to which people hiding behind social status could go. He appreciated those who brought the alleged offences to light and called for strict legal action against everyone connected with the crime.

NTK chief coordinator Seeman demanded that Veeramani and those involved in the case be identified and arrested, while seeking expeditious investigation and trial. He also called for the maximum punishment prescribed by law.

The leaders stressed that the probe should cover the alleged wider network and that no person found responsible should be allowed to escape legal action.

The Minister, who organised a training session for the lecturers from the university, was approached by the members of the Guest Lecturers Union. They submitted a petition stating that as many as 130 guest lecturers are working in the university in various disciplines and they get only a consolidated payment of Rs 20,000 despite engaging in various activities, including valuation of papers, conducting lab assessments and conduct of examinations, besides teaching.

Pointing out that they get paid for 9.5 months and left with no income for the next 2.5 months, they appealed to revise the payment scheme to at least 11 months.  They also demanded regularisation for the guest lecturers working for over 10 years, and priority be given to them during the regular appointments.

They also demanded withdrawal of the Tamil Nadu’s Private Universities (Amendment ) Bill 2026, which would affect admissions in government and government aided colleges, impacting students from marginalised backgrounds.

Similarly, the Tamil Nadu Anna University Teachers’ Association also submitted a petition urging timely promotion of the teachers working in the Anna University Constituent Colleges for more than 17 years. They also appealed to fill vacancies of teaching faculty as per student-teacher ratio norms.