Ex-MLA held for controversial remarks against Thangamani

Police said Saraswathi (59), wife of Mohan from Mullai Nagar in Namakkal, has been booked for criminal intimidation, promoting enmity between two groups, intent to provoke breach of peace and intent to cause fear or alarm among the public.

Saraswathi became an MLA after contesting in the Kabilarmalai constituency in 1991. However, after the demise of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, Saraswathi joined the DMK.

On Thursday, AIADMK’s Keerambur branch secretary Raja (34) lodged a complaint at the Namakkal police station alleging that Saraswathi has been spreading defamatory comments on WhatsApp against the minister. In his petition, Raja said Saraswathi frequently sent scandalous comments against the minister to his wife’s mobile. “When I asked her about this, she abused me and issued threats,” he said in the petition.

Based on it, the All Women Police Station in Namakkal arrested Saraswathi from her house in Mullai Nagar on Friday morning. After a police inquiry, Saraswathi was produced before a court, where she said she was feeling sick. Following the directions of magistrate Damayanthi, the police took her to the Namakkal Government Hospital for a medical test. After administering first aid, Saraswathi was taken to the Salem Central Prison, where she again complained of severe chest pain. She was then admitted in the Salem Government Hospital.

Earlier, a large number of DMK workers gathered at the All Women Police Station in Namakkal, when Saraswathi was inquired, triggering tension. The court has remanded her in judicial custody until October 1.