The Thoothukudi District Crime Branch police on Monday (July 20, 2026) arrested Vilathikulam DMK MLA G.V. Markandayan on charges of making remarks considered “derogatory” against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at a public meeting organised by the party in Kovilpatti. He was remanded in judicial custody for 15 days.
The meeting was held on Saturday (July 18) to thank the voters there following the Assembly elections. Several DMK leaders, including DMK organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi and former Minister P. Geetha Jeevan, were also present.
During his speech, Mr. Markandayan allegedly made certain remarks against Mr. Vijay.
Vilathikulam DMK MLA G.V. Markandayan being arrested by the police in Thoothukudi district on Monday | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Following this, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) north district secretary Balasubramanian lodged a complaint with the Thoothukudi District Crime Branch police on Sunday (July 19).
Subsequently, on Monday morning, the police arrived at the residence of Mr. Markandayan in Vilathikulam and arrested him. He was later taken to the office of the Superintendent of Police in Thoothukudi for further inquiry.
The police have booked him under three sections: 351(3) (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and 353(2) (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Ms. Geetha Jeevan and over 100 DMK workers were detained after they staged a sit-in in front of the Thoothukudi Collectorate. They started the protest after the police denied them permission to meet Mr. Markandayan.
As the news of the arrest spread, DMK workers from across the district began gathering near the SP office, prompting the police to tighten security. Former Ministers Anitha Radhakrishnan, Ms. Geetha Jeevan, and others also rushed to the SP office. However, the police erected barricades in front of the SP office. DMK members requested that at least four persons be allowed to meet Mr. Markandayan and enquire about his health. But the police rejected the request.
Addressing the media at the spot, Mr. Anitha Radhakrishnan said, “[Minister] Aadhav Arjuna called our Chief Minister [M.K. Stalin] a ‘foolish Chief Minister’. Did we arrest him for that?” He added that the police had arrested Mr. Markandayan at 6 a.m. without notice. “This will not last long. At the most, this government may survive for another four months. The police can act in this manner only till then,” he said.
Ms. Geetha Jeevan alleged that no case was filed against the Srivaikuntam MLA of the TVK even after a woman made charges of sexual assault. “If a matter involves TVK members, no action is taken. If it involves the DMK, an immediate arrest is made. This is suppression and authoritarianism,” she added.
Following this, Mr. Anitha Radhakrishnan, Ms. Geetha Jeevan, DMK MLAs, and workers staged the sit-in. The police attempted to detain them, leading to a heated argument. Meanwhile, Mr. Anitha Radhakrishnan complained of dizziness and left the spot.
However, Ms. Geetha Jeevan came out of the Collectorate premises and staged a protest on Thoothukudi-Palayamkottai Road. Kovilpatti MLA K. Karunanithi and a large number of DMK workers joined the protest. The protest disrupted the traffic for a brief period.
The police later detained Ms. Geetha Jeevan, Mr. Karunanithi, and others. They were lodged at a private marriage hall at Madathur.
DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condemned the MLA’s arrest and accused the TVK-led government of functioning without adhering to democratic norms.
“The ‘Take Diversion’ Model government of the TVK is targeting former DMK Ministers, MLAs, and social media supporters for pointing out the government’s excesses and shortcomings,” he alleged in a social media post.
Mr. Stalin also referred to the High Court’s criticism of the TVK government after it questioned the inclusion of unnecessary provisions in defamation cases.
“The MLA has not been allowed to meet his advocate or supporters. Even those who brought medicines for him were prevented from seeing him. The legal and human rights of the arrested have been denied. Is this the rule of law or Satan rule in Tamil Nadu?” he asked.
Mr. Stalin further questioned why the government was intent on arresting Opposition members for criticising it while failing to take action against the Minister accused of crushing a tablet (resembling the act of preparing for snorting drugs) at a stadium and in the case relating to the alleged sexual assault of a TVK woman functionary.
In a post on X, the DMK’s deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi strongly condemned the TVK government’s action on the MLA and termed it “high-handed”. She alleged that the ruling party, unable to face criticism, continued to unleash the police on members of the DMK in an attempt to suppress them. She added that the TVK would be taught an appropriate lesson through democratic means.
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Published - July 20, 2026 11:21 am IST