Udhayanidhi Stalin says he was 'treated like terrorist', slams ruling TVK govt after release

Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday accused the ruling TVK government of targeting him politically after he was released on station bail in a case linked to his alleged remarks at a public meeting, which complainants claim were directed at actor Trisha, a close associate of actor-turned-Chief Minister Vijay.

'Treated like a terrorist'

Speaking to reporters after his release, Stalin alleged that the police action contradicted the stand taken by the Tamil Nadu government before the Madras High Court, where it had maintained that there was no intention to arrest him.

"In court, the government lawyer stated that they had no intention of arresting me. However, under the pretext of taking me away for interrogation, they deployed nearly 3,000 police personnel using public money and took me from Chennai to Thanjavur by road as though I were a terrorist," he said.

The DMK leader also claimed he was not treated fairly during the process. He alleged that instead of being taken directly to Thanjavur, the police first brought him to the Sengipatti Police Station, where he was questioned for several hours before being released on station bail.

Alleges diversionary tactic

Describing the case as politically motivated, Stalin accused the state government of using the controversy to shift public attention away from more pressing issues. "The government is using a diversionary tactic. They have claimed I said something that I never said," he alleged.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, who was arrested on Tuesday in the double-meaning insulting remark case, was released on station bail following questioning at Sengipatti near here, police sources said. Udhayanidhi was accorded a warm welcome by the DMK workers outside the police station. After he was arrested from his Chennai residence at about 11 am, Udhayanidhi was brought to Sengipatti police station, about 27 km from here, and he was questioned in the presence of senior police officials, sources added.

Following the completion of questioning about the alleged objectionable remark during the protest at Thanjavur on the Cauvery issue, he was released on station bail as per the state government's submission in the Madras High Court. The questioning lasted for about an hour and he was set free approximately 9 hours following his arrest.

High Court orders release

Earlier in the day, the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu Police to release Stalin immediately after completing the interrogation. The court's direction came after Stalin was detained over remarks allegedly made against a female actor, whom the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has identified as actor Trisha Krishnan. The alleged comments were made during a public meeting in Thanjavur on Monday.

'I have done nothing wrong'

Before being taken into custody, Stalin maintained that he had committed no offence. "I have not said anything wrong," he told reporters, adding that he was not afraid of arrest and was prepared to face any legal consequences. He was brought to Sengipatti under tight security after police altered the original plan to question him at the Thanjavur East Town Police Station.

DMK leader and LoP in Tamil Nadu Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin left the Sengipatti Police Station in Thanjavur after being questioned for over an hour in the case against him over alleged offensive remarks. A large crowd of DMK suporters and party workers surrounded him as he left the police station