Bail denied, arrested Anitha alleges pressure to defect

CHENNAI/THOOTHUKUDI: Soon after the Madras High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail plea, former minister and DMK MLA Anitha R Radhakrishnan was arrested by the police in Thoothukudi in a case registered over his alleged remarks against Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

Adding a political twist to the development, Radhakrishnan alleged that the police officials tried to pressurise him to resign as MLA and defect to the ruling TVK. Swiftly reacting to the charge, TVK leader and Minister R Nirmalkumar retorted that a leader like Radhakrishnan would never be admitted to the party regardless of any penance he may perform.

Earlier, rejecting the anticipatory bail plea, Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan orally observed that, as an MLA, Radhakrishnan should have exercised restraint and shown respect to the office of the Chief Minister, irrespective of who occupies the post.

Recalling how the people have elected film personalities since 1967, the judge said the DMK leader’s remarks about the Chief Minister’s film background were unwarranted.

The comment that led to the case was made at a public meeting on June 20, during which Radhakrishnan allegedly said Vijay’s demeanour in the Assembly looked like that of a person who felt trapped. He also referred to the Chief Minister's life in the film industry before entering politics.

Appearing for Radhakrishnan, senior advocate NR Elango argued that the speech was neither intended to disturb public peace nor to incite enmity, hatred, or ill will. He contended that the remarks, at best, amounted to defamation, for which the law provides a separate procedure, and therefore the criminal case was not maintainable.

But the State submitted that Radhakrishnan had shown no remorse, and that the statements were directed against the office of the Chief Minister. It argued that granting anticipatory bail in such a case would set a wrong precedent.