Modi will undertake a Metro ride from Porur Bypass to Poonamallee Bypass and back at around 11.30 am. He will subsequently offer prayers at the Jalakandeswarar Temple and visit the Brain Centre at IIT Madras before launching the projects at around 1.30 pm.

The Poonamallee–Vadapalani Metro stretch, built at a cost of around Rs 4,900 crore, features a 3.7-km double-decker structure and advanced signalling systems designed to support driverless operations. It is expected to improve connectivity between Chennai’s western suburbs and the city centre while reducing travel time for commuters.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for National Highway projects worth around Rs 3,700 crore. These include the four-laned Vadugapatti–Therkuvenganallur section of NH-744, the Madurai Ring Road section of NH-744A and a proposed four-lane bypass at Tiruvarur on NH-83.

Railway projects worth over Rs 750 crore will also be dedicated to the nation. These comprise the Karaikal–Peralam railway line, three rail flyovers in and around Coimbatore and five redeveloped Amrit stations at Palani, Vellore Cantonment, Ambasamudram, Paramakudi and Namakkal.

Port infrastructure will receive a boost through projects at Chennai, V O Chidambaranar and Kamarajar ports to expand cargo-handling capacity and improve logistics. At Chennai Port, the works include a paved storage yard, four export-import godowns, an upgraded cruise terminal and a seafarers' club.

Modi will also lay the foundation stone for a Rs 1,620 crore Group II/III lube oil base stocks project at Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited’s Manali refinery, with an annual production capacity of 270,000 tonnes.

At IIT Madras, he’ll dedicate the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre to the nation and launch a global mission to map more than 100 human brains at cellular resolution across the lifespan. He’ll also release C-STROKE, an atlas containing over 1,000 annotated microscopic sections of a stroke-affected brain.

The Prime Minister will conclude his engagements by attending the golden jubilee celebrations of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai at around 3 pm and addressing the gathering.

The clarification comes amid objections to the temporary postings, with doctors raising concerns over the absence of the usual counselling process, relocation difficulties and the implications for their choice of permanent workplaces.

Explaining the rationale, Arunraj said the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted medical education and counselling schedules, leading to administrative complications in previous years. Counselling for doctors who completed their postgraduate courses in October 2025 was held only in December, creating difficulties in salary payments and other service-related procedures during the intervening period.

The government introduced the temporary arrangement to ensure that the current batch did not face similar problems, he said.

According to the minister, the postings were allotted based on the three preferred locations submitted by doctors in their applications. Where vacancies were unavailable at their chosen locations, nearby alternatives were assigned, taking into account family circumstances and the difficulties of relocating over long distances.

The government would issue guidelines requiring Last Pay Certificates (LPCs) and transferring service registers within 30 days, to enable doctors to receive their salaries without interruption from the first month at their new postings, the minister said.

He stressed that the arrangement was purely temporary and would not curtail doctors' rights in the regular counselling process.

Under Government Order 131, all posts filled through the interim arrangement would be included in the next counselling exercise. Regular counselling would be conducted transparently based on the Civil Medical List (CML) and seniority, allowing doctors with temporary postings to compete for vacancies in accordance with their eligibility and seniority, Arunraj said.

The minister also said the government was addressing procedural delays in the counselling schedule to ensure that future exercises were conducted on time and similar administrative complications were avoided.

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu’s breakfast scheme has been recently expanded to cover students from Classes 1 to 8 in government and government-aided schools. Renamed Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme (PKBFS), the expanded programme now covers around 34.64 lakh students across 44,984 schools, with an additional 15.30 lakh students brought under the scheme through the latest expansion.

Sources: New breakfast menu for govt school students: Check details 

https://negd.gov.in/isl/Directory/statedata/477

https://www.tnpscthervupettagam.com/articles-detail/tamil-nadu-chief-minister%E2%80%99s-breakfast-scheme-part-1/?cat=gk-articles

https://en.vikaspedia.in/viewcontent/schemesall/state-specific-schemes/welfare-schemes-of-tamil-nadu/perunthalaivar-kamarajar-breakfast-scheme-of-tamil-nadu-govt?lgn=en

https://www.tnsocialwelfare.tn.gov.in/en/specilisationsnutritious-meal-programme/chief-ministers-breakfast-scheme

https://www.govtschemes.in/tamil-nadu-perunthalaivar-kamarajar-breakfast-scheme

The promotion was made on the instructions of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay in recognition of her achievements in the sport.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had also announced and presented an incentive of Rs 60 lakh to Chinappa recently for her performance at the Asian Games. Chinappa had won a bronze medal in mixed doubles with fellow Indian player Velavan Senthilkumar and another as part of the Indian women's team at the 2026 Asian Games.

A prominent figure in international squash, Chinappa has represented India at seven Asian Games between 2002 and 2026. She won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and silver at the 2014 Asian Games. With her two latest bronze medals, her overall Asian Games medal tally has risen to seven.

Chinappa had been serving as deputy director of sports at TNPDCL while continuing to compete at the international level. Her elevation to director of sports recognises her long-standing contribution to the sport and her recent achievements at the Asian Games.

TNPDCL congratulated Chinappa on her promotion and sporting achievements and wished her success in her future sporting career and official responsibilities.

Speaking to reporters at Chennai airport, Rahul alleged that the BJP leadership had conspired against the people, democracy and the Constitution.

“What Narendra Modi and Amit Shah need to understand is that no matter what they do, the trap is closing on them. There is no escape from this trap because they have conspired against the people of this country, against democracy and against the Constitution,” he said.

“The entire Opposition and the youth of this country are slowly squeezing the space out. There is no escape. Let me repeat, there is no escape now,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Rahul addressed the Congress’s ‘Student Voice’ event at Island Grounds in Chennai, where he assured students that he would fight to protect their future.

The programme departed from the conventional format of political meetings dominated by lengthy speeches, featuring live music, rap performances and direct interaction with students. Popular music band Thaikkudam Bridge and rapper Therukural Arivu performed at the event. Students from various colleges attended the programme which combined cultural performances with political messaging.

Addressing the students, Rahul spoke about the importance of education, independent thinking and curiosity. Referring to the teachings of Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar and Periyar, he said education should empower individuals to think independently and question authority.

He accused the PM Modi of launching a "full-scale attack" on Tamil language, culture and history, while also claiming that the delimitation exercise is designed to "punish" the State and reduce its voice in Parliament.

He stressed that asking questions and remaining curious were essential qualities for students, adding that a strong future cannot be built by severing ties with a State’s roots.

Addressing the fifth graduation day ceremony of ESIC Medical College and Hospital here as the chief guest, Arlekar said medical education was not merely about acquiring knowledge and clinical skills but also about safeguarding human life, alleviating suffering and serving society with dedication.

Arlekar wished the graduates success in their professional careers and called upon them to contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat through dedicated service, professional integrity and a commitment to equitable healthcare.

He called on the graduates to place patients at the centre of their professional practice, emphasising that a doctor's distinction lies not only in clinical competence but also in empathy, integrity, and a strong sense of social responsibility.

The Governor underscored the need to make healthcare accessible and affordable, particularly for disadvantaged sections of society who often face barriers to medical treatment.

He urged the graduates to put their medical knowledge to the service of society and help build a healthier, more inclusive nation.

Emphasising that a nation's progress should not be measured solely by its scientific and technological achievements, the Governor said equal importance must be given to the dignity, care and opportunities extended to every citizen.

The Governor also distributed assistive devices to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) initiative, highlighting the importance of dignity, accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities. Such devices can enhance mobility and independence, enabling beneficiaries to participate more fully in everyday life, he added.

In a joint statement, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam, CPI state secretary M Veerapandian and CPI (ML) Liberation state secretary Pazha Aasaithambi alleged that the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces had unleashed repression, arrests and attacks ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. Left parties and mass organisations had extended their support to the protest, they said.

The statement alleged that 254 trains to Delhi were cancelled, 54 Metro stations shut and 35,000 police personnel deployed. It also accused the authorities of ignoring the Supreme Court’s advice that people had the right to hold peaceful protests.

CPM general secretary MA Baby, CPI general secretary D Raja, leaders of CPI(ML) Liberation and several senior party functionaries were among those arrested in Delhi, it noted, adding that leaders and functionaries of Left youth and student organisations had also been detained. Those arrested were allegedly being kept in police vehicles and driven around for several hours.

The Left parties further alleged that the Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel had prevented protesters from assembling at Jantar Mantar by making arrests at different locations. Offices of political parties and mass organisations had also been surrounded by security personnel, they said.

Describing the action as an attack on democracy and the right to protest, the three parties strongly condemned the alleged repression and arrests. They called on their units to organise immediate protest demonstrations at district headquarters across Tamil Nadu, condemning the crackdown and reiterating their demand for Kumar’s removal.

The court was hearing a petition filed by V Durairaj, a Salem resident, challenging the freezing of his bank account and recovery proceedings initiated by the HR&CE department. He was accused of auctioning buffaloes donated by devotees to Arulmigu Bathrakaliamman Temple in Mecheri without authorisation and making unlawful gains.

Durairaj contended that the order freezing his bank account was passed without issuing a show-cause notice or providing him an opportunity for a personal hearing, thereby violating the principles of natural justice.

After hearing the petition, Justice Krishnan Ramasamy observed that the sale of over 200 buffaloes raised serious concerns about the supervision and management of the temple's livestock. The court noted a serious lapse on the part of the temple's Executive Officer in safeguarding the animals.

Despite the authorities claiming that a notice had been issued to the petitioner, the court found no reference to it in the impugned order. Holding that the order violated the principles of natural justice, the court set it aside and directed the bank to allow Durairaj to operate his account.

The court, however, clarified that the authorities could initiate proceedings against him after issuing proper notice, providing an opportunity for a personal hearing and conducting a detailed inquiry.

When the state informed the court that the unauthorised sale had fetched approximately Rs 83 lakh, the court directed the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action against all those responsible. It specifically called for action against the temple's Executive Officer for failure to discharge supervisory duties.

In a statement, Stalin alleged that former Chief Ministers Pinarayi Vijayan, Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee and Manik Sarkar, along with CPM general secretary MA Baby and leaders of various student organisations, had been detained while protesting to protect people's voting rights.

He criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar for remaining in office with Z plus security while those protesting against the SIR exercise were being detained.

Stalin alleged that the protests had exposed a conspiracy behind the SIR exercise and criticised the restrictions imposed in Delhi, including barricading and internet shutdowns. He said such measures would not suppress the protests by young people across the country.

Turning his criticism towards the TVK-led alliance government, Stalin alleged it was trying to appease the Union government by detaining CPM state secretary P Shanmugam and other activists protesting the SIR exercise and demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation.

Stalin demanded the immediate release of all those detained, the removal of Gyanesh Kumar from office, a halt to the SIR exercise and accountability for those responsible for what he described as a betrayal of the people's interests.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin condemned the arrest of youths who staged a peaceful protest in Besant Nagar demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Udhayanidhi accused the TVK government of suppressing democratic dissent and demanded the immediate release of the arrested protesters.

He questioned why the Chief Minister was acting against the protesters when their agitation had received support from various quarters, including some parties which support the Vijay government from the outside.

The Salem division of Southern Railway announced that continuous downpours, particularly heavy in and around Coonoor, have triggered rockfalls and mudslides across the alignment.

Track clearance and restoration work is currently underway by railway personnel. Consequently, train services between Mettupalayam and Udhagamandalam in both directions remain cancelled.

The Mettupalayam-Udhagamandalam (Ooty) train, known as the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR), holds vast historical, engineering, tourism and cultural significance.

Beyond tourism, the train has long served as a crucial mode of transport for local plantation workers, school children, and residents living in remote hill settlements across Nilgiris.

The proposed visit comes amid concerns over Tamil Nadu not receiving its allocated share of Krishna river water under the Telugu Ganga Project and Andhra Pradesh's reported plans to construct dams on rivers flowing into Tamil Nadu.

Chief Minister Vijay will also participate in Vijayawada Utsav 2.0, which is scheduled to be held in the Andhra Pradesh capital.

Krishna water supply

Under the Telugu Ganga Project, Andhra Pradesh is required to supply 12 TMC of Krishna river water annually to Tamil Nadu at the state border to meet Chennai's drinking water requirements.

However, Tamil Nadu had received only 2.251 TMC of water as of October 9 this year.

The shortfall has raised concerns over Chennai's drinking water supply, while the reported plans to construct dams on rivers flowing from Andhra Pradesh into Tamil Nadu have added to apprehensions over the state's future water availability.

River interlinking on agenda

Vijay is expected to discuss these issues with the Andhra Pradesh leadership, along with the possibility of implementing river interlinking projects to address water requirements.

However, there has been no official confirmation from the Tamil Nadu government regarding the proposed visit or the meetings.

Karnataka visit cancelled

Earlier, Vijay had planned to visit Karnataka in August to discuss the Cauvery river water dispute. However, the visit was cancelled after protests by Kannada organisations opposing the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had also requested Vijay to postpone his visit amid the protests.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the incident has also drawn attention to the slow progress of permanent roofing work at the excavation site, with concerns mounting ahead of the northeast monsoon.

India's first 'Site Museum'

Adichanallur, located on the banks of the Thamirabarani river, is an important archaeological site where the ASI conducted excavations four years ago. A site museum was established to enable visitors to view ancient burial urns and other artefacts in their original locations.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated India's first site museum at Adichanallur on August 6, 2023, and laid the foundation stone for a world-class museum. However, construction of the proposed museum has remained stalled for various reasons.

Sluggish museum construction

The excavation area was divided into three zones A, B and C. Excavations at Site C, where a large number of artefacts were discovered, were carried out under temporary roofing.

Although work to install a permanent roof in this section has commenced, progress has been slow. The lack of adequate protection has left the excavation pits and the artefacts exposed to changing weather conditions.

Burial urns submerged in rain

Recent heavy rainfall in the area caused water to accumulate in the excavation pits, leaving more than 10 ancient burial urns submerged. The situation has raised fears that prolonged exposure to water could damage the urns and the historical materials preserved inside them.

The incident has renewed concerns over the maintenance of the archaeological site and the need to protect the remains from further deterioration.

Call for a permanent shelter

Writer Muthalankurichi Kamarasu alleged that the ASI had failed to ensure proper maintenance of the artefacts, leaving them exposed to the sun and rain.

He urged officials to expedite the construction of a permanent shelter before the Northeast Monsoon intensifies and take immediate steps to drain the accumulated rainwater and safeguard the archaeological remains.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the fishermen positioned their boats near the port area to register their protest against the project.

The demonstration caused tension along the coast and within the port complex, prompting the Coastal Security Group and police to intensify surveillance to prevent any untoward incidents.

Desalination plant impact

Construction is progressing on a desalination plant with a capacity of 60 million litres per day in the Mullakkadu area of Thoothukudi.

Fishermen allege that the construction activities in the sea and the discharge of wastewater from the facility could adversely affect marine resources and fish stocks.

They fear that the project could severely damage the traditional shore-seine fishing trade, which has supported coastal communities for generations.

According to the fishermen, any decline in marine resources would directly affect their daily earnings and threaten the livelihoods of families dependent on fishing.

Sea blockade near VOC Port

Fishermen had stayed away from the sea for the past few days due to strong winds.

As weather conditions improved on Saturday, they resumed fishing activities and gathered near the port with their boats to stage the blockade.

The protest was organised to draw attention to their concerns over the project's potential impact on traditional fishing grounds.

Demand to halt desalination plant project

The protest committee has urged the State government to intervene immediately and halt the desalination project to protect traditional shore-seine fishermen and their livelihoods.

The fishermen have also called for measures to safeguard marine resources and ensure that their concerns are addressed before construction progresses further.

Meanwhile, police and Coastal Security Group personnel are maintaining a close watch along the coast to prevent further disruption.

Her remarks come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Baramati, the home turf of NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, and the invitation extended by her party to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for a women's event in December.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave here, Sule said her party and the Shiv Sena (UBT) are holding talks with the DMK and wanted it to join the opposition alliance.

"We are in dialogue with the DMK and Uddhav Thackeray. The NCP (SP) and the Shiv Sena (UBT) are both in talks with the DMK. We are very keen that they be with us in the INDIA alliance," she said.

On speculation about Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) holding back-channel discussions with the government, Sule said dialogue was essential in a democracy.

"In any democracy, you have to have dialogue. How can there be a loggerhead? This is our politics," she said.

Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Baramati and her party's invitation to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for a women's event in December, Sule said leaders from different political parties could engage with one another for a common cause.

"We have invited Priyanka Gandhi for a very big issue of women in December," she said, adding that the event had been scheduled for December 16 but Priyanka would be unable to attend.

"If, for a good cause, people meet across the board, there is good debate, there is good dialogue, something good will come out of it," Sule said.

She cited the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as an example of a policy measure that involved continuity across governments, noting that the then UPA (government) had developed the bill while the NDA implemented it.

"What's wrong in having a healthy dialogue? That doesn't mean you are operating (together)," she said.

On the proposed delimitation exercise, Sule said the INDIA bloc would take a collective decision after examining the proposed legislation.

"There is no bill that has been shown to us, sent to us, or that we have read. So unless the bill comes into our hands, and we read it and study it, we cannot comment on it," she said.

Sule rejected the suggestion that Maharashtra faced an Opposition vacuum or lacked a credible face to challenge Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

"I disagree with you completely," she said, arguing that the BJP-led alliance's position was built on splits in rival parties and the use of central agencies.

"If you break people's parties, you use all these agencies, and then you come to power, it doesn't make you a popular leader," Sule said.

She also criticised the state government's economic performance, alleging delays in payments to contractors and salaries, and cited inflation, unemployment and corruption as major concerns.

"Double engine government is not delivering on the ground," the Baramati MP charged.

When asked whether the current CJP agitation resembles the Anna Hazare movement, Sule said the current public anger had similarities with the sentiment of the old anti-corruption movement.

"I don't think it's the Anna moment. It's a different way of agitation, but it's a very similar sentiment among the people," she said.

Referring to the political turmoil during the erstwhile Congress-led UPA regime of which the undivided NCP was a constituent, Sule said, "Nothing very different is happening now."

She said Gen Z wants accountability, clear messaging, and everybody has to play by the "rules of the game."

Sule, daughter of veteran politician Sharad Pawar, said she had no problem with her political identity rooted in an established political family.

"This is something we lived with all the time. It's the baggage you have to live with for the rest of your life. I have no problem with it," she added.

NATIONAL MUMBAI

The incident came to light after a video, purportedly showing the men being forced to fall at the feet of the others, went viral.

Following the death of a 90-year-old man on October 5 due to age-related ailments, members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community brought his body for burial.

However, individuals from the dominant community blocked the process, triggering a tense confrontation.

During the heated argument, members of the dominant community allegedly threatened the Dalit villagers, warning that they would be barred from seeking future employment in the locality, police said.

Under threat of economic boycott, two Dalits were forced to fall at the feet of the dominant caste villagers.

In response to the incident, the Thingalur police registered a case late Thursday night based on a complaint filed by the Perundurai revenue inspector.

Charges have been invoked against two individuals under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and an investigation is on.

The burial was ultimately completed under police protection and the supervision of Revenue Department officials.

The incident seems to be a fallout of prevailing caste discrimination, sources said.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana declined to interfere with the Madras High Court’s dismissal of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by PV Selvakumar.

The bench, however, clarified that it was leaving the questions of law open and would consider them at an appropriate proceeding. During the hearing, the court questioned the petitioner’s locus standi, pointing out that he was neither a legislator nor a representative authorised to pursue the disqualification proceedings.

Advocate Nina Nariman, appearing for Selvakumar, contended that he was an AIADMK member and a voter concerned about the conduct of the legislators.

Justice Bagchi observed that proceedings under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution had to be pursued by a member of the House. “We are fully with you that the sanctity of constitutional mandate must be preserved. But we must understand the working of a democratic system,” the judge observed. SC said that the AIADMK leadership appeared to have condoned it.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly by-elections on Friday, defeating the DMK in both constituencies, while the AIADMK finished third despite having won the seats in the April Assembly election. BJP's ally AINRC won the Thattanchavady byelection with ease in neighbouring Puducherry.

Unlike by-elections held during the regimes of the two Dravidian majors, the victory margins remained relatively narrow, reflecting a close three-cornered contest, a first in the State.

The results mark the first major electoral test for TVK after the party formed the government in Tamil Nadu. With the two victories, TVK's strength in the Assembly has increased from 107 to 109. Five more Assembly constituencies are expected to face by-elections in the near future as their seats have fallen vacant. The victories of two former AIADMK MLAs who switched sides after the Assembly election are also likely to encourage more defections.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

TVK joins ruling parties’ bypoll win streak, but with narrow margins

By-elections in the State have often turned into opportunities for ruling parties to reinforce their political dominance. From the AIADMK’s sweeping victories under J Jayalalithaa to the DMK’s uninterrupted bypoll success in its tenure, the trend has now extended to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which has won its first electoral test after forming government, winning in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, albeit with narrower margins than those recorded by the major Dravidian majors in the past.

The pattern, however, has not been uniform. The AIADMK’s tenure under Edappadi K Palaniswami saw a notable exception: the party failed to win a majority of the 22 seats contested in 2019 by-elections, despite retaining its winning streak in several earlier contests. This was an exception, as AIADMK, under the less charismatic Palaniswami, was weakened by the breakaway TTV Dhinakaran faction. The then-opposition DMK won 13 seats, while the ruling party held on to only 9 constituencies. This followed the AIADMK's 2017 loss in RK Nagar, where TTV pushed the ruling party to second.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Bypoll victory sign of alliance's acceptance among people, says Congress Minister Viswanathan

The TVK-led alliance's victories in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram bypolls sparked celebrations at the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) headquarters on Friday, with Congress Minister P Viswanathan distributing sweets to party cadres and calling the results a sign of public acceptance of the alliance.

Addressing reporters, Viswanathan said the bypolls were the first contested by the TVK-led alliance, making the victories politically significant. He described the formation of the TVK government, with support from alliance partners including the Congress, VCK and IUML, as an important political development.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

DMK holds second place in both bypolls, cites solo campaign

The DMK has held on to second place in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly by-elections, using the results to argue that its electoral support remains intact even without alliance partners. However, the party's vote count declined in both constituencies compared with the April Assembly election.

The results also underline a changing political contest in the State, with the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerging as a key challenger to the DMK, while the AIADMK was pushed to third place in constituencies it won earlier.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Votes or not, Left will continue to fight for people: CPM state secretary P Shanmugam

Despite losing deposits in the bypolls, the CPM and CPI on Friday thanked voters who supported their candidates in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly by-elections, asserting that their political work would continue beyond electoral victories and defeats.

In a statement, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam thanked voters who cast their ballots for the party candidate, P Sugandhi, in Madurantakam and the CPI candidate, Lakshmanan, in Dharapuram. He also appreciated the efforts of cadres from Left parties, including the CPI (ML) Liberation, who worked during the campaign.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

AIADMK bypoll defeats deepen crisis, pressure mounts on Edappadi K Palaniswami

Two bypoll defeats have reopened questions over Edappadi K Palaniswami’s leadership of the AIADMK, with the party finishing third in Maduranthakam and Dharapuram, constituencies it won in the 2026 Assembly elections. The results have handed fresh ammunition to dissenting leaders and could embolden more legislators to quit the party.

The AIADMK’s inability to retain either seat, and its relegation to third place in both contests, has added to its electoral setbacks. The loss in Dharapuram is particularly significant, as the constituency was considered relatively favourable to the party before the bypoll.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

CM Vijay’s bypoll blitz delivers two wins, but TVK’s grassroots test remains

TVK's victories in Madurantakam and Dharapuram have preserved the ruling party's electoral momentum, but the hard-fought contests have exposed the limits of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's personal appeal and the organisational challenges confronting his fledgling government.

The bypolls presented a different test from the April Assembly elections, when TVK, contesting independently, won 108 of the 234 seats with 34.92 per cent of the vote. Five months into government, the party entered the fray with the advantages of incumbency, support from allies including the Congress, VCK, MDMK and IUML, and two former AIADMK legislators seeking re-election under its banner. Yet Vijay was forced to mount an intensive, two-phase campaign, spending four days on public meetings, roadshows and village outreach to retain both seats.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

In what was a nail-biting race, Tamil Nadu's ruling TVK won the bypolls to Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies with principal opposition party DMK securing second place, even as counting of votes is underway. While the fortunes of TVK nominee in Dharapuram P Sathyabama initially witnessed a see-saw battle with the AIADMK surging to the first place following a number of rounds, subsequently she established a clear lead and towards the close of 20th round she was leading by 10,003 votes, eventually winning the seat with a victory margin of 9,645 votes. In Madurantakam, TVK maintained a clear lead throughout, securing victory with 67,825 votes; its margin over the DMK was 19,312 votes. The DMK, which was trailing behind the AIADMK for the initial rounds, later clinched the second spot in both seats.

The TVK, which runs a minority government, will now see its strength go up in the Assembly by two. This victory will also be a morale booster ahead of expected bypolls for five more Assembly segments.

The TVK, with 107 existing MLAs, survives based on the support of parties, including the Congress in addition to the outside backing of the Left parties.

In the 234-member TN Assembly, 118 is the simple majority mark.

TVK wins Madurantakam bypoll with 67,825 votes; DMK in 2nd place with 48,513 votes; TVK's Maragatham won by a margin of 19,312 votes

TVK's Sathyabama wrests Dharapuram by 9,645 votes; TVK: 60,333; DMK: 50,688; AIADMK: 39,166; NTK: 4,806; CPI: 1,072

TVK leading by 14,924 votes over DMK in Madurantakam; TVK leading by 8,653 votes over DMK in Dharapuram 

Madurantakam - TVK: 53,590; DMK: 38,666; AIADMK: 34,102; NTK: 1,443; CPM: 1,206

Dharapuram - TVK: 54,354; DMK: 45,701; AIADMK: 35,411; NTK: 4,459; CPI: 1,014

Vote-counting resumes in Madurantakam, TVK's Maragatham continues in the lead by 13,541 votes over DMK's Paranthamen

Dharapuram - TVK: 51,253

DMK - 42,390

AIADMK - 32,892

NTK - 4,206

CPI - 949

* Lead over second-placed DMK: 8,863 votes

WATCH | TVK celebrates in Madurantakam as party leads in bypoll

Madurantakam bypoll vote-counting still halted; TVK maintains lead in Dharapuram by 8,863 votes

Dharapuram - TVK: 51,253

DMK - 42,390

AIADMK - 32,892

NTK - 4,206

CPI - 949

Madurantakam bypoll: 1-2 EVMs did not have a seal, leading to commotion. Votes in them will be counted later: Thanthi TV

TVK’s Maragatham Kumar leads in Madurantakam by 12,523 votes, while Sathyabama leads in Dharapuram by 9,226 votes.

Madurantakam -

* TVK: 37,856

* DMK: 25,333

* AIADMK: 21,399

* NTK: 1,134

* CPI(M): 972

* Lead over second-placed DMK: 12,523 votes

Dharapuram -

* TVK: 45,336

* DMK: 36,110

* AIADMK: 29,348

* NTK: 3,668

* CPI: 793

* Lead over second-placed DMK: 9,226 votes

TN bypoll results 2026 HIGHLIGHTS: TVK leads in both seats; celebrations begin at Panaiyur HQ

-- 8 am: TVK led in both seats from the postal ballot count.

-- After a few rounds: AIADMK’s Banumathi briefly took the lead in Dharapuram.

-- After Round 5: TVK regained the lead in Dharapuram, with AIADMK second and DMK third.

-- Round 9: Counting in Madurantakam was briefly halted due to a control unit malfunction. It was halted again in Round 10.

-- After Round 9: TVK’s Sathyabama led by 2,112 votes in Dharapuram.

-- By 1 pm: DMK moved to second place in both seats, pushing AIADMK to third.

-- Celebrations: TVK cadres have begun celebrations at the party’s Panaiyur headquarters.

-- Madurantakam chaos: A commotion broke out after one or two EVMs were found without seals, Thanthi TV reported. Votes from these machines will be counted later.

-- Vote counting halted: From around 12.40 pm to around 2 pm, vote-counting was halted for Madurantakam.

-- TVK's Sathyabama wrests Dharapuram by 9,645 votes; TVK's Maragatham wins by 19,312 votes; DMK in second place in both seats

Madurantakam - 34,806; DMK: 23,154; AIADMK: 19,448; NTK: 1,050; CPM: 972

Dharapuram - TVK: 37,944; DMK: 31,043; AIADMK: 26,266; NTK: 3,093; CPI: 681

Madurantakam bypoll: Counting of votes halted again in Round 10

10th round of counting ends in Madurantakam bypoll

Counting was halted briefly in Madurantakam bypoll 

The counting process in the Madurantakam Assembly by-election was halted briefly during the ninth round on Friday after the control unit at the seventh counting table stopped functioning.

Agents of the candidates protested against proceeding with the counting following the technical issue. The process resumed after a delay of around 10 minutes.

WATCH | Celebrations under way in Panaiyur as TVK leads in Dharapuram, Madurantakam

13th round over in Dharapuram

9th round ends in Madurantakam

TVK leads in Madurantakam & Dharapuram; DMK in 2nd spot in Madurantakam; AIADMK in 2nd spot in Dharapuram

TVK’s Maragatham Kumar leads in Madurantakam by 10,336 votes, with the DMK in second place and the AIADMK trailing in third.

Madurantakam - TVK: 30,785; DMK: 20,449; AIADMK: 17,453; NTK: 925; CPM: 766

TVK’s Sathyabama leads in Dharapuram by 4,128 votes, with AIADMK’s Banumathi in second place and DMK’s Suganya trailing in third.

Dharapuram - TVK: 27,649; AIADMK: 23,521; DMK: 22,503; NTK: 2,156; CPI: 509

TVK’s Sathyabama extends lead to 2,112 votes after round nine in Dharapuram

TVK candidate P Sathyabama widened her lead over AIADMK rival K Banumathi to 2,112 votes after the ninth round of counting in the Dharapuram Assembly by-election.

Sathyabama secured 24,047 votes, while Banumathi polled 21,935 votes.

DMK candidate S Suganya was third with 19,972 votes.

NTK candidate M Karthika secured 1,891 votes, while CPI candidate P Lakshmanan received 442 votes.

TVK’s Sathyabama extends lead to 1,304 votes after round eight in Dharapuram

TVK candidate P Sathyabama widened her lead over AIADMK rival K Banumathi to 1,304 votes after the eighth round of counting in the Dharapuram Assembly by-election.

Sathyabama secured 21,034 votes, while Banumathi polled 19,730. DMK candidate S Suganya was third with 15,898 votes. NTK candidate M Karthika secured 1,632 votes, while CPI candidate P Lakshmanan received 402 votes.

TVK’s Sathyabama leads by 917 votes after round seven in Dharapuram

TVK candidate P Sathyabama continued to lead in the seventh round of counting in the Dharapuram Assembly by-election, securing 18,690 votes.

AIADMK candidate K Banumathi followed with 17,773 votes, while DMK candidate S Suganya polled 15,988 votes.

Sathyabama led Banumathi by 917 votes and Suganya by 2,702 votes.

NTK candidate M Karthika secured 1,364 votes, while CPI candidate P Lakshmanan received 363 votes.

Madurantakam: 6th round ends; 7th round of vote-counting ends in Dharapuram

Madurantakam - TVK: 23,980; DMK: 15,751; AIADMK: 14,111; NTK: 332; CPM: 156

Dharapuram - TVK: 16,201; AIADMK: 14,807; DMK: 13,797; NTK: 1,146; CPI: 298

TVK takes the lead in Dharapuram with 13,213 votes. AIADMK with 12,419 goes to second spot. DMK remains at third with 11,554, after the 5th round of counting ends.

6th round of vote-counting in Madurantakam begins; 4th round of vote-counting continues in Dharapuram 

Madurantakam - TVK: 20,163; DMK: 13,856; AIADMK: 11,488; NTK: 332; CPM: 156

Dharapuram - AIADMK: 10,773; TVK: 9,815; DMK: 8,906; NTK: 693; CPI:177

5th round of vote-counting in Madurantakam underway; 4th round of vote-counting continues in Dharapuram 

10 am: Round 4 of vote-counting underway in Madurantakam, Dharapuram

Madurantakam bypoll:

TVK: 15,604

DMK: 11,266

AIADMK: 9,737

NTK: 154

CPM: 70

Dharapuram bypoll:

AIADMK: 10,833

TVK: 10,068

DMK: 8,177

NTK: 687

CPI: 248

TVK’s Maragatham Kumaravel led the Madurantakam bypoll with 12,197 votes after round three, followed by DMK’s I Paranthaman (8,959) and AIADMK’s S Kanitha Sampath (6,906). NTK and CPI(M) candidates polled fewer than 50 votes each.

In Dharapuram, AIADMK’s K Banumathi led with 8,244 votes, ahead of TVK’s P Sathyabama (7,434) and DMK’s S Suganya (6,158).

As of 9.45 am, TVK's Maragatham in the lead in Madurantakam and AIADMK's Banumathi in the lead in Dharapuram

Madurantakam - TVK: 11,954; DMK: 8,941; AIADMK: 6,802; NTK: 154; CPM: 70

Dharapuram - AIADMK: 8,212; TVK: 7,615; DMK: 6,035; NTK: 520; CPI: 177

Thattanchavady bypoll counting: Early trends indicate advantage for AINRC

Early trends emerging from counting of votes on Friday for the October 6 bypoll held in Puducherry appeared to be advantageous for the Chief Minister N Rangasamy-led AINRC. The party leads the NDA coalition ministry.

The election is seen as a test of popularity for the four-month-old NDA government led by Rangasamy, whose resignation from Thattanchavady necessitated the electoral exercise.

In Thattanchavady, although a total of 11 candidates are in the fray, the battle is being seen as a 3-cornered one between ruling AINRC-led NDA, the Congress and its former ally DMK.

Dharapuram bypoll: AIADMK leads, TVK 2nd, DMK in 3rd

At the end of the first round of counting in Dharapuram bypoll, AIADMK candidate K Banumathi led by securing 2,639 votes, while TVK candidate P Sathyabama got 2,634 votes and DMK candidate S Suganya came third with 2,019 votes.

Madurantakam Bypoll: TVK leads after round 1

TVK: 660

AIADMK: 375

DMK: 335

Postal ballots

Postal ballots are being counted first. Early trends show TVK leading in both Madurantakam and Dharapuram, with the DMK in second place and the AIADMK in third.

DMK agents face police objection over uniform scarves

DMK counting agents arrived at the Dharapuram counting centre wearing scarves of the same colour. Police initially denied them entry, triggering a prolonged argument. They were subsequently allowed inside.

Entry permitted only after QR code verification

Counting agents are being allowed into the counting centre only after their QR codes are scanned and verified.

Mobile phones not allowed

Mobile phones belonging to counting agents are being collected, tagged with tokens and kept in safe custody. Even police personnel are not permitted to carry mobile phones inside the counting centre.

All eyes on TN bypolls results

CHENNAI: Early trends emerging from counting of votes on Friday (October 9) for the October 6 bypolls held in Tamil Nadu indicated an advantage for the ruling regime led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. As the counting of votes, which commenced at 8 am progressed, the ruling TVK was steadily marching ahead of its Dravidian rivals, the DMK and AIADMK.

The results are set to be closely watched as an early test for the new TVK-led government. The two seats recorded voter turnouts of 86.26% and 80.30%, respectively, with local issues ranging from transport and road safety in Madurantakam to water scarcity in Dharapuram.

Madurantakam is a Scheduled Caste-reserved Assembly constituency in Chengalpattu district, while Dharapuram in in Tiruppur district is reserved for the Scheduled Tribe community. Both seats fell vacant after sitting AIADMK MLAs K Maragatham and P Sathyabama resigned and joined actor-turned-Chief Minister Vijay’s TVK.

The bypolls have turned into a five-cornered contest involving TVK, DMK, AIADMK, the Left parties and NTK, with TVK’s Maragatham Kumaravel, DMK’s I Paranthamen, AIADMK’s S Kanitha Sampath, CPM’s Suganthi and NTK’s Janakiraman in Madurantakam. In Dharapuram, TVK’s P Sathyabama faces DMK’s S Suganya, AIADMK’s K Banumathi, CPI’s Lakshmanan and NTK’s Karthika.

A total of 27 candidates contested the Madurantakam by-election, while 22 candidates were in the fray in Dharapuram.

Bypolls a test for Tamil Nadu’s new political realignment

The two bypolls are the first electoral test for the TVK government since the April 23 Assembly elections, when it ended nearly six decades of alternating rule by the two Dravidian parties, making them a prestige battle for Chief Minister Vijay, who campaigned for four days. The bypolls were necessitated by the resignation of AIADMK MLAs K Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama, who joined TVK and have been renominated by the party.

The contests also reflect Tamil Nadu’s new political realignment. Congress, which won five seats, and VCK and IUML, which won two seats each in April, joined the TVK-led government, while CPI and CPM, which won two seats each, extended external support but stayed out of the Cabinet and the alliance, and are contesting against TVK in these bypolls.

The PMK, part of the AIADMK-led NDA, has stayed neutral, while NDA ally AMMK is backing AIADMK candidates in both constituencies. MDMK, which contested and won two seats as part of the DMK-led alliance, later ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the TVK-led Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance.

The bypoll results will also set the tone for five yet-to-be-announced bypolls — Tiruchy (East), Perundurai, Ambasamudram, Viralimalai and Karur — held up by election-related litigation. Tiruchy (East) fell vacant after Vijay resigned, while the other four were vacated by AIADMK MLAs who resigned and joined TVK.

For TVK, the results will indicate whether its post-election realignment is translating into electoral support. AIADMK will seek to reclaim the two seats it won in April, while the DMK will look to challenge the new ruling formation. The Left, meanwhile, is seeking to retain its independent political identity while continuing to support the TVK government from outside.

Party-wise seat tally: April 23 vs current

TVK is seeking both Madurantakam and Dharapuram seats to raise its strength to 109 in the 234-member House, just nine short of a simple majority (majority mark: 118).

- TVK: 108 → 107 — Vijay won two seats, Perambur and Tiruchy (East),and retained Perambur before vacating Tiruchy (East).

- DMK: 59 → 59

- AIADMK: 47 → 41 — six AIADMK MLAs resigned and subsequently joined TVK.

- Congress: 5 → 5

- PMK: 4 → 4

- CPI: 2 → 2

- CPI(M): 2 → 2

- VCK: 2 → 2

- IUML: 2 → 2

- AMMK: 1 → 1

- BJP: 1 → 1

- DMDK: 1 → 1

- Vacant: 0 → 7

• Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance (SSJVA): The ruling coalition is led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and includes the Congress, VCK, MDMK, and IUML; the CPI and CPI(M) are not part of the alliance but provide outside legislative support to the government.

• Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA): The principal opposition block is led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and is currently partnered with the DMDK.

• AIADMK-led Alliance: The third major political front brings together the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the PMK, and the AMMK.

A high-decibel campaign

In Madurantakam, Chief Minister completed a 45-km roadshow across more than 30 villages, stepping off his campaign vehicle to drive a tractor through agricultural fields, sip tea at roadside stalls, and talk with women working the fields. In Dharapuram, he travelled on a bullock cart through key junctions of the constituency to connect with local voters during his 40-km roadshow.

The dominant campaign discourse was the "horse-trading" charges levelled at TVK by the AIADMK and DMK, although Vijay rejected them, saying the then AIADMK MLAs could not stand the party leadership hobnobbing with its DMK counterpart. He even accused the two parties of plotting against his forming the government when it was short of a majority but emerged as the single largest party.

DMK president MK Stalin campaigned for a day in each constituency. His remarks about the physical appearance of TVK's Dharapuram candidate P Sathyabama drew criticism from political parties.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami was the sole campaigner for his party in both constituencies and directly targeted Vijay during his campaign. The party's campaign, however, was affected by internal dissent, with Palaniswami keeping senior leaders SP Velumani, P Thangamani and CVe Shanmugam away from the campaign.

During the campaign, Vijay projected himself as the political inheritor of the welfare legacy of former AIADMK chief ministers MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, while positioning TVK as the principal alternative to DMK. Victory in the bypolls would provide a political boost to the four-month-old TVK government and strengthen its claim to have consolidated its position after the Assembly election.

Water war turns into key agrarian issue in Dharapuram bypoll

With farmers’ distress emerging as a major concern in the Dharapuram Assembly by-election, a bitter water-sharing dispute between the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP) ayacut and Uppar Dam-dependent farmers has turned into a politically sensitive issue in the constituency.

While farmers dependent on Uppar Dam are demanding water to protect their crops amid drought-like conditions, PAP ayacut farmers are strongly opposing any diversion, contending that the storage in the Thirumoorthi reservoir is insufficient even to meet their own irrigation requirements.

ricultural landscape, with farmers estimating that coconut plantations cover nearly one lakh acres. Vegetable crops, drumstick and maize are also cultivated in the region.

With their plantations under stress, farmers say they are being forced to buy tanker water to keep the coconut trees alive. -- shorten

READ FULL REPORT

A look back at how Madurantakam and Dharapuram voted in the 2026 Assembly elections:

Madurantakam May 2026 Assembly election results:

AIADMK: 69,284 votes

TVK: 62,090 votes

DMK: 59,838 votes

Dharapuram May 2026 Assembly election results:

AIADMK: 81,100

TVK: 46,438

DMK: 64,373

Constituency Watch | Madurantakam: Civic concerns, election fatigue shape bypoll

Several voters DT Next spoke to in Madurantakam expressed little enthusiasm for the bypoll, with some questioning the need for another election and others undecided. Public transport emerged as a key concern, with passengers alleging difficulties boarding certain express buses, while a highway bus stop near Madurantakam Lake raises safety concerns as buses stop on the carriageway and passengers have to cross the busy NH.

Water and agriculture remain other major issues, with farmers flagging silt accumulation in the 2,400-acre Madurantakam Lake. The constituency’s proximity to Chennai and location along the NH corridor have also accelerated urbanisation around centres such as Melmaruvathur and Achcharapakkam.

READ DETAILED MADURANTAKAM REPORT HERE

Madurantakam, Dharapuram polling: Women, rural voters hold bypoll sway

Both constituencies share a largely rural polling network and a high proportion of women voters. Their electoral rolls have grown by a combined 2,103 voters in the past five months, with around 1,000 new voters added in each constituency. Women accounted for most of the new enrolments following the Special Intensive Revision.

READ FULL STORY

Inside Madurantakam’s first-ever bypoll

Madurantakam is more than just a town people pass through on the way to Chennai. As the constituency went to its first-ever bypoll, DT Next travelled across the region to explore its history, political journey and key candidates, while speaking to residents about everyday concerns, including transport, healthcare, education and the Madurantakam lake.

Tamil Nadu bypolls turnout lower than general elections

Voter turnout in Assembly by-elections at the Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituencies on Tuesday was lower than the turnout in the April-May general elections in the two constituencies.

Madurantakam recorded 86.26% turnout as of 8.30 pm, 7% lower than that in the general elections, which saw 93.22% turnout. 

The turnout in Dharapuram stood at 80.31% as of 8.30 pm, compared with 89.89% in the general election.

READ FULL STORY

Based on a complaint, a joint team led by Tirupur Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) Sivaprakash, North Tahsildar Govindasamy, and North Police Inspector Rajinikanth conducted an inspection at the facility located in Bharathi Nagar on Goundanayakkanpalayam Road on October 8.

The complaint alleged that boys and girls from several districts were being housed in the unit and made to work without appropriate wages.

During the inquiry, officials found 13 people -- six young women and seven young men -- staying and working at the premises. Four among them were identified as child labourers, officials added.

The rescued workers hail from various districts across Tamil Nadu, including Tirunelveli, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Coimbatore, Erode, Salem and Theni.

Authorities questioned the owner of the unit, identified as Sivakumar. The rescued children were taken into custody, and officials inquired about their living conditions, food, and the payment of their wages.

Meanwhile, representatives of the establishment claimed that the workers had been employed there for the past six months and that their wages were paid regularly.

Further investigations by the Revenue Department and the police are underway.

The accused police personnel, including Inspector Dhilipan, Sub-Inspector P. Mahendran and constables L. Deivendran and B Palaniyappan, appeared before the court on Friday.

Akash’s mother, Muthanandavalli, appealed to Judge Natarajan not to grant bail to the accused. The judge told her that she had the right to oppose bail but pointed out that the original FIR had not yet been submitted to the court. He directed that the FIR be produced and adjourned the case to November 20 for further hearing.

According to the prosecution, six police personnel were booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, for allegedly subjecting Akash to severe torture with the intention of killing him. Akash died in March 2026.

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

The chargesheet stated that the accused took Akash in a police vehicle around 5.30 pm on March 6, 2026, to a secluded, low-lying area surrounded by eucalyptus trees off the road to Maanambathi village. They allegedly beat him with an iron rod below his right knee and above his ankle, causing severe fractures, with the intention of killing him.

The assault led to fat embolism, which directly caused his death, the chargesheet stated.

According to police sources, R Saravanan (37), a resident of Rahuman Nagar in Thanjavur, was running a multi-speciality hospital at Thanjavur-Vallam main road along with a partner, and in due course of time, there was a dispute between the partners, and one of the partners attempted to take hold of the hospital.

Subsequently, Saravanan lodged a complaint with the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital police and also with the Central Zone IGP V Balakrishnan. The opposition party had also lodged a complaint with the IG. However, police registered a case against Saravanan, his uncle, administrative head RM Baskaran and the manager Baskar under atrocities against SC/ST act. Baskaran was arrested in the month of July, and later he came out on bail.

Saravanan sent a petition to the DGP stating that the officials had misused their power in the case, and so he demanded a probe by CB-CID. Based on the petition, the DGP ordered a probe by CB-CID on September 12, and the team conducted an inquiry with Saravanan, in which the team was told that the police officials were biased. They demanded Rs 5 crore, and he had parted with a cash of Rs 3.25 crore in cash and a cheque worth Rs 1.75 crore. Subsequently, the team conducted an inquiry with the other partners of the hospital and the police officials.

Against such a backdrop, the CB-CID team came to Nanjikottai in Thanjavur and searched the house of the Thanjavur district Crime Branch Inspector Sukumar, and the search commenced at 6 am and lasted till 12 noon. The team seized a few documents and video footage from the house, said the police sources.

Siddique was produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody. He was lodged in Vellore Central Prison on Friday morning.

A native of Kaveripattinam in Krishnagiri district, Siddique entered the police service as a DSP after clearing the Group-I examination. He was posted to Arakkonam in Ranipet district in 2024, where he married Shobana, an IT employee, in a love marriage.

According to police, the couple frequently quarrelled. Shobana had earlier lodged a complaint at the Arakkonam police station, alleging that Siddique was involved with other women and had assaulted and harassed her. She later petitioned Tamil Nadu Director General of Police Mahesh Agarwal, seeking action against her husband.

Siddique was transferred to Paramakudi as DSP in July. Following Shobana's complaint, the case was transferred to the CB-CID for investigation. The Vellore CB-CID registered a case against him on August 4.

The Tamil Nadu government subsequently suspended Siddique from service. He appeared before CB-CID investigators on Thursday morning and was arrested after questioning.

The Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Association state coordination meeting was held at Mannargudi in Tiruvarur on Friday, chaired by the State Joint Secretary V Swaminathan to discuss the adverse impact of El Nino on the farmers and the drought situation prevailing in the delta region.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the General Secretary of the association, PR Pandian, said the Delta region has witnessed extreme drought conditions due to El Nino, but the water released from Mettur on September 1 had not reached the branch rivers, tanks and lakes across the delta region.

“The crops cultivated through direct sowing had dried after the seeds sprouted due to water shortage, and these factors, coupled with the poor rainfall during the South West monsoon rains, had turned the Delta region almost into a desert,” Pandian said.

Pandian appealed to the State government to declare the Delta as a drought-hit region and commence the compensation process. “It is time for the State government to write off the crop loans without any condition and disburse compensation to the farmers who lost kuruvai,” he said.

He also appealed to the state government to initiate immediate steps to get the due share of water from Karnataka to ensure samba cultivation.

“We have decided to hold a statewide protest on October 26, and the farmers from Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai and Cuddalore would lay siege to the respective district collectorate on the day,” Pandian said.

In a communication, Additional Registrar (Consumer Affairs) K Tharpagaraj conveyed the department's position to the Tamil Nadu Government Ration Shop Employees' Association, which sought a 25 per cent salary hike under Rule 110, besides a special salary increase once every three years instead of every five years.

The association argued that employees with more than 20 years of service earned less than Rs 20,000 a month, making it difficult for them to meet their families' living expenses.

The association also cited a Government Order issued by the Food and Consumer Protection Department on March 5, 2026, granting a special salary increase to employees. However, Tharpagaraj said DA was being revised from time to time in view of rising prices and inflation, making a separate wage hike unnecessary.

He also pointed out that the existing system provided for a special salary increase once every five years, with no provision for revisions every three years.

In a statement, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam thanked voters who cast their ballots for the party candidate, P Sugandhi, in Madurantakam and the CPI candidate, Lakshmanan, in Dharapuram. He also appreciated the efforts of cadres from Left parties, including the CPI (ML) Liberation, who worked during the campaign.

Shanmugam said elections were only one part of the broader struggle of the Communists, who viewed electoral contests as a step towards achieving social change. He said the Left parties had campaigned without money, power, or the backing of official authority and had engaged voters in discussions on alternative politics. "Our work will continue not only in Parliament and the Assembly but also on the streets," he said, adding that the Left would continue to fight for the interests of workers, farmers, the middle class, small traders, small-scale entrepreneurs, women, youth and students.

CPI state secretary M Veerapandian said the Left parties respected the election results but maintained that their politics could not be measured by their strength in the legislature.

"The votes we received are untainted votes," he said, stressing that elections should not be driven by caste, religion or money.

"Do not look for the Left in the number of seats in the Assembly. We have neither death nor defeat," Veerapandian said, asserting that the Left would continue to pursue its political objectives despite the electoral setback.

Unlike by-elections held during the regimes of the two Dravidian majors, the victory margins remained relatively narrow, reflecting a close three-cornered contest, a first in the State.

The results mark the first major electoral test for TVK after the party formed the government in Tamil Nadu. With the two victories, TVK's strength in the Assembly has increased from 107 to 109. Five more Assembly constituencies are expected to face by-elections in the near future as their seats have fallen vacant. The victories of two former AIADMK MLAs who switched sides after the Assembly election are also likely to encourage more defections.

As many as 25 of the AIADMK's 47 MLAs voted in favour of the TVK government during the trust vote in May, rebelling against AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami.

Though the DMK finished second in both constituencies, improving on its third-place finish in the April Assembly election, its vote share declined compared with the general election.

Vijay on Friday hailed his party’s victories in the bypolls as a mandate against money power, personal attacks and political impropriety, asserting that the results reaffirmed the people’s faith in his party. In a statement, Vijay claimed that the TVK had won without distributing money to voters or confining them, describing the victories as a triumph of love, affection and relationships over money-driven electoral practices. Both Stalin and Palaniswami accused the ruling TVK of misusing official machinery and indulging in electoral malpractices to secure victory in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections.

In Madurantakam, TVK candidate K Maragatham Kumaravel defeated DMK candidate I Paranthaman by a margin of 20,040 votes. In Dharapuram, TVK candidate P Sathyabama won by 9,471 votes in a keenly contested three-way battle. The AIADMK finished third in both seats.

In Madurantakam, Maragatham Kumaravel secured 74,048 votes against Paranthaman's 54,008. AIADMK candidate and former MLA S Kanitha Sampath finished third with 47,450 votes.

In Dharapuram, Sathyabama polled 66,841 votes, accounting for 37.02% of the votes cast, while DMK candidate S Suganya secured 57,370 votes (31.78%). AIADMK candidate K Banumathi received 45,280 votes (25.08%).

A Division Bench comprising Justices P Velmurugan and KK Ramakrishnan also sought details of the cases registered against the officials and their current status.

The court issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by Sakthivel of Sivaganga district, alleging that government officials, including tahsildars, had misappropriated Rs 2.35 crore allocated for students staying in Adi Dravidar Welfare hostels between 2017 and 2023.

The petitioner also submitted that the police had registered an FIR and named eight tahsildars as accused. However, he alleged that no action had been taken against them.

Some of the tahsildars accused in the case had allegedly been promoted, while some others had been permitted to retire by the district collectors, the petitioner said.

Contending that the police were acting in favour of those accused of misappropriating government funds, the petitioner sought a direction to transfer the investigation to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID).

When the case came up for hearing, the Additional Advocate General, appearing for the State, submitted that investigating officers had been appointed and a chargesheet had been filed before the trial court.

When the judges observed that the government is functioning only with officials accused of corruption, the State’s counsel reportedly described the government as a “three-month-old baby” and sought more time.

The judges observed that governments might change, but government officials remained the same. They also questioned why officials accused of corruption continued to be retained in government service.

The Bench directed the State Government to submit the detailed report and adjourned the case.

The AIADMK’s inability to retain either seat, and its relegation to third place in both contests, has added to its electoral setbacks. The loss in Dharapuram is particularly significant, as the constituency was considered relatively favourable to the party before the bypoll.

The results could intensify demands for organisational changes and a reassessment of the party’s leadership. The Velumani and Shanmugam camps have argued that leaders who left the AIADMK, including TTV Dhinakaran and V K Sasikala, should be brought back to strengthen the party. They have also urged Palaniswami to convene a meeting of the party’s general council to discuss the defeats and chart a way forward.

The latest setbacks add to the AIADMK’s electoral reverses in the Lok Sabha elections, the 2021 Assembly elections and local body polls, keeping its leadership and electoral strategy under scrutiny.

Speaking to DT Next, senior journalist Tharasu Shyam said the victories of the two former AIADMK MLAs on TVK tickets could embolden leaders opposed to Palaniswami.

“Both former AIADMK MLAs have now won again under the TVK. This may encourage those opposed to EPS, as it could reinforce the perception that any AIADMK MLA who joins the TVK can retain the seat,” he said.

The defeats also raise questions about the AIADMK’s electoral standing, Shyam said, adding that the results could reflect a positive response to the TVK government.

“Voters were primarily expressing approval of the government's performance rather than loyalty to the candidates or other factors,” he said, adding that the outcome could also have implications for political alliances.

For Palaniswami, the immediate challenge is to contain further defections while managing differences among rival factions. Whether he can bring the dissenting camps together and address concerns over the party’s electoral strategy remains a key question following the bypoll defeats.

The AIADMK won both constituencies in the 2026 Assembly elections. Maragatham Kumaravel secured 69,284 votes in Maduranthakam, while P Sathyabama won Dharapuram with 81,100 votes. Both later resigned as MLAs and joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), along with four other AIADMK legislators.

The defections followed differences within the AIADMK leadership over the party’s response to its Assembly election defeat. The camps led by C Ve Shanmugam and S P Velumani questioned Palaniswami’s leadership after he rejected demands to extend support to the TVK following the results. As many as 25 of the AIADMK’s 47 MLAs voted in favour of the TVK government, defying the party whip.

Besides Maragatham Kumaravel and Sathyabama, S Jayakumar of Perundurai, Isakki Subbiah of Ambasamudram, C Vijayabaskar of Viralimalai and M R Vijayabhaskar of Karur also resigned as MLAs and joined the TVK.

In the first phase of the by-elections, the TVK fielded the two former AIADMK legislators in their respective constituencies. Meanwhile, the AIADMK nominated Kanitha Sampath in Maduranthakam and Bhanumathi in Dharapuram.

The bypolls presented a different test from the April Assembly elections, when TVK, contesting independently, won 108 of the 234 seats with 34.92 per cent of the vote. Five months into government, the party entered the fray with the advantages of incumbency, support from allies including the Congress, VCK, MDMK and IUML, and two former AIADMK legislators seeking re-election under its banner. Yet Vijay was forced to mount an intensive, two-phase campaign, spending four days on public meetings, roadshows and village outreach to retain both seats.

The margins, particularly in Dharapuram, suggest that retaining a legislator does not automatically guarantee the transfer of the entire vote base associated with the party on whose ticket the candidate was elected.

The electoral arithmetic is revealing. In April, the AIADMK had polled 69,284 votes in Madurantakam and 81,100 in Dharapuram, while TVK secured 62,090 and 46,438, respectively. In the bypolls, the AIADMK's tallies fell to 46,431 and 45,280, while TVK's candidates polled 70,916 and 66,841. These are constituency-level party comparisons, not direct measures of individual voter transfers. Nevertheless, the AIADMK's remaining support base, despite the legislators' defections, points to the resilience of established party loyalties.

Vijay's campaign marked a departure from his relatively limited appearances during the Assembly elections. In Madurantakam, he undertook a 45-km roadshow covering more than 30 villages, interacting with residents and adopting conventional grassroots campaign methods. The intervention underscored TVK's attempt to move beyond its leader-centric, high-tech political image and build a conventional electoral organisation. However, the need for such sustained campaigning raises questions about the party's capacity to mobilise voters without its principal vote-getter.

A TVK leader who campaigned extensively in Dharapuram said the party had made inroads among sections of AIADMK grassroots workers but had failed to break the rival's rural vote base, attributing the resistance partly to the enduring appeal of the two-leaves symbol.

A senior TVK leader and minister dismissed concerns over the margins, predicting that the party would win more than 200 seats if Assembly elections were held again. Such confidence, however, remains a political assertion rather than a conclusion established by two bypolls.

The grapevine may be rife with speculation about further defections (from the AIADMK as of now), but attracting legislators is not the same as transferring their constituencies. Inexperienced cadres, candidates whose local appeal remains intertwined with their former affiliations and the entrenched networks of established parties remain formidable obstacles.

The victories have sustained TVK's momentum, but the bigger test is whether Vijay can turn personal charisma into a durable political machine that can win consistently without an intensive campaign.

The answer lies in a history that predates the British Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, which subjected hijra communities to criminalisation, surveillance and stigma.

Hijron Ka Khanqah, an ancient monument in South Delhi, houses 50 tombs commemorating Soddo Mai, a 15th Century transgender spiritual leader during the reign of the Lodi dynasty, and her 49 disciples. The monument stands as a testament to the spiritual and cultural significance once accorded to transgender communities in India, says Mahalakshmi.

In the recently released book titled, Hijron Ka Khanqah: A Monument of Transgender History and Legacy, Mahalakshmi sheds light on the forgotten contributions of trans persons to India’s history, and challenges the contemporary narratives that have often relegated transgender people to the margins of society.

Born into a Hindu family, Soddo Mai was identified as male by those around her. However, from an early age, she recognised her identity as a woman and observed the lives of trans women around her. “While many trans people during that period were drawn to Bhadai, an ancient dance form, Soddo Mai found solace in her spiritual quest through the teachings of Sufi saint, Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki,” said Mahalakshmi, secretary, Madurai-based Transgender Resource Centre (TRC).

Acknowledging her devotion, the Sufi saint affectionately called her ‘Abba’, meaning elder sister. “As Soddo Mai became deeply immersed in the teachings of the Sufi saint, she embraced Islam as an extension of her spiritual journey, rather than rejecting her Hindu upbringing,” said Mahalakshmi.

The turning point in Soddo Mai’s spiritual quest came with her long journey to Mecca with her 49 trans women disciples, which, according to the author, transformed her life. “Seeing the suffering of people around her in the city, Soddo Mai bequeathed all her land around Mehrauli to the poor and needy. This sent shock-waves through the community,” said the author.

From then on, Soddo Mai dedicated her life to feeding the hungry and offering solace to the downtrodden. Her 49 trans women disciples carried on her work, ensuring that people in their community did not go hungry or remain without shelter. “After she passed away, the King of the Lodi dynasty recognised her service to humanity and installed a magnificent marble tomb at Hijron Ka Khanqah in Mehrauli, where she was laid to rest,” she added. “Her 49 disciples, who had served her faithfully, were buried around her.”

Today, the sacred site is a place of pilgrimage for people from across the world, including members of the transgender community, who visit to offer prayers and seek Soddo Mai’s blessings. Offering food and other items to the poor continues to be one of the main rituals at Hijron Ka Khanqah.

Priya Babu, an accomplished trans woman activist and managing trustee of TRC, who encouraged the author to write the book, said it disproves the widely held belief that the concept of a third gender is a Western notion that India borrowed from the West. “Through this book, we demonstrate that trans people have contributed significantly to shaping our history and that, in the pre-colonial period, they held positions of influence and respect,” she said.

To write the book, Mahalakshmi drew largely on secondary literature and oral histories, including conversations with several trans persons who visit Hijron Ka Khanqah as a place of spiritual refuge and cultural reaffirmation. She also spoke to the caretaker, Shiri, whose family has been looking after the monument for four generations.

The mother approached the Madras High Court seeking to be appointed as the sole guardian of her minor daughter, born in 2018, and to obtain permanent custody of the child, along with permission to take her outside the jurisdiction of the court.

The parents separated in 2024. The mother, employed as a Senior Specialist in Canada, submitted that the minor was currently under the care and custody of her maternal grandparents. She stated that she had been granted permanent residency in Canada in 2024 and was financially stable and well equipped to take care of the child's welfare.

She further submitted that despite being granted visitation rights in 2024, the father had shown no interest in meeting the child, except on a couple of occasions immediately after the order was passed. He had made no subsequent attempts to visit the minor or build a bond with her, she submitted.

After hearing the matter, Justice PB Balaji noted that the father had advertised himself on TamilMatrimony.com in 2025 as a divorcee with no children, which clearly showed that he had disowned his own child and observed that he was in no way competent to be a guardian or act in the best interest of the minor.

The court, accordingly, allowed the petition, appointed the mother as the permanent guardian of the minor girl and granted her permanent custody. It also permitted the mother to take the child to Canada, where she presently resides.

However, the party's vote count declined in both constituencies compared with the April Assembly election.

The results also underline a changing political contest in the State, with the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerging as a key challenger to the DMK, while the AIADMK was pushed to third place in constituencies it won earlier.

In Madurantakam, the DMK's I Paranthamen secured 57,370 votes in the by-election, retaining the party's second position. In the April election, DMK candidate S Amulu Ponmalar had polled 59,838 votes, while AIADMK candidate Maragatham Kumaravel secured 69,284 votes to win the seat.

The DMK has interpreted its performance as evidence of its independent electoral strength, amid claims by some alliance partners after the general election that their support had helped the party win 59 seats.

"It has been proved that the DMK secured votes on its own, without any alliance partners. After the general election results were announced, alliance partners claimed that the DMK had secured 59 seats with their support. But the by-poll results clearly indicate that the DMK won on its own campaign. Now, the alliance parties know the facts," said RS Bharathi, DMK organising secretary.

Dharapuram witnessed a closely fought contest for second place, with the DMK initially trailing the AIADMK during the first 10 rounds of counting. DMK candidate S Suganya moved to second place after the 14th round, pushing the AIADMK candidate to third.

Suganya secured 57,370 votes, against the 64,373 votes polled by DMK candidate T Indirani in the April election. Despite the decline, the DMK retained second place in the constituency.

The party had mounted an intensive campaign in both seats, with DMK president MK Stalin, deputy general secretary Kanimozhi and youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin canvassing for its candidates. Stalin addressed public meetings in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, while Kanimozhi and Udhayanidhi also campaigned ahead of polling.

Stalin thanked party cadres and alliance partners for putting up a strong contest. He said the DMK would continue its campaign against the TVK-led government, alleging links between the government and corporate interests.

Meanwhile, DMK chief MK Stalin accused Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay of relying on celebrity appeal, financial inducements and government machinery. Stalin also alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct through welfare announcements made after the election schedule was declared.

Claiming that voters had been pressured and money and gifts distributed, he cited videos and media reports that he said pointed to excessive spending. He further alleged that police were used to intimidate people opposing the ruling party's candidates and that government employees were pressured to work in its favour.

Stalin described the outcome as a temporary victory for what he called betrayal politics and claimed that the opposition votes collectively represented a majority opposed to the government. He maintained that the DMK's support base remained intact despite the ruling party's campaign.

He urged the government to focus on public welfare instead of political vendettas, horse-trading and publicity-driven politics.

Stalin also thanked DMK cadres and alliance partners for mounting a strong contest, saying the party would continue its campaign against the Vijay government and what he described as its alleged links with corporate interests.

The delegation from Japan’s Urban Renaissance Agency (URA), accompanied by a team from the Nomura Research Institute (NRI), met D Karthikeyan, chairman and managing director of the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) on Friday at Egmore here, to discuss the Knowledge City and other upcoming projects in the State.

The discussions centred on opportunities for cooperation in urban planning, infrastructure development and sustainable urbanisation, particularly the potential for Japanese expertise and partnerships in creating globally connected knowledge infrastructure.

The delegation subsequently visited the proposed project site in Uthukottai taluk of Tiruvallur district to gain first-hand insights into the development plans and the vision behind the project.

Spread across approximately 870 acres, Tamil Nadu Knowledge City is envisaged as an integrated hub for higher education, research and development, technology and entrepreneurship. The project is intended to bring educational institutions, research centres and technology enterprises into a common ecosystem, strengthening links between academia and industry.

Former CM MK Stalin laid the foundation stone for the project on January 29, 2026, at the India Global Education Summit in Chennai. The development is planned in phases, with the first phase covering approximately 413 acres. A dedicated Knowledge Tower is also envisaged to provide infrastructure for international universities, research institutions and technology-focused organisations.

The engagement with the Japanese delegation comes amid the State’s efforts to attract international institutions and build global partnerships around its knowledge economy.

No specific agreement or investment commitment was announced following the discussions. The meeting and site visit, however, provided an opportunity to explore areas of potential cooperation between Japan and Tamil Nadu in urban development and knowledge infrastructure.

Addressing reporters, Viswanathan said the bypolls were the first contested by the TVK-led alliance, making the victories politically significant. He described the formation of the TVK government, with support from alliance partners including the Congress, VCK and IUML, as an important political development.

He said the victories reflected public acceptance of the alliance and congratulated cadres of all constituent parties for their hard work.

Viswanathan, the Congress in-charge for the Madurantakam bypoll, said the victory resulted from the collective efforts of cadres from all alliance partners.

Describing the victories as the beginning of the alliance's electoral journey, he said the results would positively impact the upcoming cooperative society and local body elections in Tamil Nadu.

He also expressed confidence that the TVK-led alliance would secure a major victory in southern India in 2029 and that the Congress would return to power at the Centre.

The pattern, however, has not been uniform. The AIADMK’s tenure under Edappadi K Palaniswami saw a notable exception: the party failed to win a majority of the 22 seats contested in 2019 by-elections, despite retaining its winning streak in several earlier contests. This was an exception, as AIADMK, under the less charismatic Palaniswami, was weakened by the breakaway TTV Dhinakaran faction. The then-opposition DMK won 13 seats, while the ruling party held on to only 9 constituencies. This followed the AIADMK's 2017 loss in RK Nagar, where TTV pushed the ruling party to second.

Exceptions aside, bypolls were always a ruling party's game in the last few decades, a trend sharpened by the infamous 'Tirumangalam formula' in 2009, when the then-ruling DMK used micromanagement and alleged cash-for-votes to romp home by around a 90,000-vote margin.

Jayalalithaa showed Vijayakant his place in the 2012 Sankarankovil bypoll after the DMDK left the alliance formed in 2011, comfortably winning the seat. The AIADMK candidate, S Muthuselvi, went on to secure a massive victory with 94,000 votes.

After securing a second consecutive term in 2016, the AIADMK extended its winning streak to Aravakurichi, Thanjavur and Thiruparankundram, where by-elections were held after the polls in the three constituencies were deferred during the Assembly election.

The DMK, in turn, maintained an unbroken record in by-elections during its tenure, with the party and its allies winning every contest, including the two Erode East by-elections and the polls in Vilavancode and Vikravandi.

The TVK has now joined this list of ruling parties that have won bypolls. Its wins in Madurantakam and Dharapuram mark the party’s first by-election test after coming to power. However, the relatively narrow victory margins distinguish its performance from the sweeping wins recorded by the AIADMK during Jayalalithaa’s tenure or the DMK's victory in Tirumangalam.

The results place the TVK within a familiar pattern in Tamil Nadu politics, where by-election victories have often favoured the party in power, even as the scale of the mandate has varied across governments and electoral contests.

Previously, male employees were eligible for marriage loans of Rs 6,000 and women employees Rs 10,000 for their own marriages or those of their children.

The revised amounts will apply to employees of all temples under the HR&CE department.

The loans will be recovered in 36 monthly instalments in accordance with the rules.

The Division Bench comprising Justices P Velmurugan and KK Ramakrishnan noted that the ASI had withdrawn the restriction on cooking food or prasadam on the hilltop and informed the court that the Supreme Court had directed the continuation of customary and traditional practices on a status quo basis.

“It is brought to the notice of this Court that the Supreme Court had directed the continuation of customary and traditional practices on a status quo basis, as confirmed by the communication issued by the Superintending Archaeologist,” said the Judges.

According to the petitioners, the Malai Mel Kumarar festival had been celebrated from time immemorial. As part of the customary practice, the Vel, the sacred spear of Lord Murugan, is taken from the Subramaniyaswami Temple in Tirupparankundram to the hilltop, where abhishekam is performed. Thereafter, devotees and villagers assembled there to prepare Kathamba Sadham and distribute it as prasadam.

The petitioners contended that all arrangements had been made following a peace committee meeting attended by officials. However, in a communication to the Madurai City Police Commissioner on the evening of October 8, the ASI imposed several conditions on the festival, including a prohibition on cooking and other fire-related activities on the hill. The petitioners challenged the restriction as contrary to their religious practice.

The petitioners also referred to an earlier ASI communication stating that, while cases were pending before the Supreme Court and the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, customary and traditional practices should continue on a status quo basis until final orders were passed.

During the hearing, the ASI’s counsel produced fresh proceedings dated October 9 withdrawing the restriction on cooking food or prasadam on the hilltop.

Following the withdrawal, the court dismissed as infructuous the petition seeking permission for villagers to cook kadamba rice on the hilltop and distribute it as prasadam. It disposed of the other petition challenging the ASI’s proceedings, leaving the question of the ASI’s jurisdiction open to challenge in appropriate proceedings.

The Bench directed the Madurai City Police Commissioner to ensure that the festival was conducted peacefully and that adequate measures were taken to maintain law and order.

It was presented to her in recognition of her lifelong work promoting peace, human rights, and international law.

"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mrs Navanethem Pillay, a tireless voice for human rights, world peace, and justice on the international stage, and a person of Tamil descent living in South Africa, on being selected for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2026," Vijay said.

In a statement, Anbumani said the award appropriately recognised Pillay's contributions to peace and international law. He expressed hope that she would continue her efforts to promote peace worldwide.

Having begun her journey through legal battles against apartheid on the soil of South Africa, and having served as a judge in that country's High Court and as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay's initiatives to advance peace and international law have earned her the Nobel Prize, bringing boundless joy and pride to Tamil people living around the world, he said.

"It brings immense joy and pride to Tamil people around the world. My congratulations again to Navanethem Pillay, who tirelessly strove for the lofty values of human rights, equality, justice and world peace," Vijay said in a post on X.

She was born on September 23, 1941, in Durban, South Africa, into a Tamil family whose ancestors migrated to that country. She grew up under apartheid and became the first non-white woman to establish a law practice in Natal Province in 1967, defending anti-apartheid activists and political prisoners.

She became the first non-white woman to serve as a judge on the High Court of South Africa in 1995, and served as judge and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

Navanethem Pillay was a judge on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and had worked as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014 and also served as a judge on the International Court of Justice.

Anbumani wished Pillay continued success in her mission to uphold human rights and international law and promote global peace.

(With inputs from Bureau)

Boulders and uprooted trees obstructed the tracks, forcing a mountain train carrying around 200 tourists to return to Mettupalayam midway through its journey.

The train departed from Mettupalayam at 7.10 am as scheduled, carrying tourists looking forward to the scenic journey through the Nilgiris. However, it was forced to stop at Kallar railway station after landslips at two locations between Adderly and Hillgrove railway stations blocked the route, making it impossible to proceed towards Coonoor.

The train was subsequently brought back to Mettupalayam, and the railways refunded the passengers' tickets. Following the disruption, the Salem Railway Division announced the cancellation of both Mettupalayam–Ooty and Ooty–Mettupalayam mountain train services for the day.

Railway personnel were deployed in multiple teams to clear the debris and restore the damaged section. A large boulder that had fallen on the tracks was blasted and removed, while repair work was taken up simultaneously.

Services are expected to resume after the restoration work is completed and the affected tracks are declared safe for train operations.

In a separate incident, a huge eucalyptus tree got uprooted on the Kotagiri-Coonoor Road, disrupting traffic following heavy rains on Thursday night. Its branches fell on a house along the roadside, causing damage to the structure. As the tree fell during the night on a busy stretch, a major mishap was averted.

Sinha was the Tambaram City Commissioner before being moved to the politically sensitive post that has been lying vacant since the previous chief, ADGP A Arun, was shunted out of the post within seven weeks of his appointment.

The Home Department order was issued by the new Secretary, A Karthik, who was appointed earlier on Friday. The order said Sinha will be the Additional Director General of Police/Director of DVAC, and added that the appointment has been made against an existing vacancy and will take effect immediately.

Chennai city police commissioner ADGP A Amalraj will hold full additional charge of the post of Tambaram police Commissioner until further orders, the order said.

The anti-corruption watchdog, which has always been seen as a potent tool against opposition politicians, is even more significant under the new dispensation led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who had made the battle against corruption as one of the key planks of his Assembly election campaign earlier this year.

After the new government took charge, a string of cases was booked – or acted upon in some cases – against influential DMK leaders like V Senthilbalaji, KN Nehru, and EV Velu.

Minister for Cooperation Gandhi Rajan on Friday inspected the consignment that arrived at the goods railway terminal in Tondiarpet before inaugurating the sale.

The move comes amid persistently soaring onion prices, with the vegetable selling for more than Rs 50 per kg at the Koyambedu wholesale market, while starting at Rs 60 per kg in retail shops.

The government procured the latest consignment from the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) to continue supplying onions at subsidised rates and reduce the financial burden on consumers, particularly low- and middle-income households.

Onion prices rose from Rs 20-Rs 25 per kg in July to Rs 30–Rs 35 per kg in early August before crossing Rs 50 per kg by the end of August, due to supply shortage

In the first phase, towards the end of August, the government procured 910 metric tonnes of onions through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and 65 metric tonnes from NCCF. The state government sold them through ration shops at Rs 35 per kg, following a limit of 1 kg per ration card.

In the second phase, the government procured 1,414.33 metric tonnes through NAFED and 460 metric tonnes from NCCF for sale at subsidised rates.

Onion prices rose from Rs 20-Rs 25 per kg in July to Rs 30–Rs 35 per kg in early August before crossing Rs 50 per kg by the end of August, owing to a shortage in arrivals.

Additional Registrar (Consumer Affairs) K Tharpagaraj, Cooperation Department officials and representatives of cooperative societies were also present during the launch of the third phase.