Udhayanidhi Stalin detained over alleged remarks; seeks bail

Tamil Nadu's Leader of Opposition, Udhayanidhi Stalin, was detained by police from his Chennai residence on Tuesday over alleged offensive remarks made during a political rally. The detention comes amid a case accusing him of making derogatory comments against women at a rally in Thanjavur on August 3.

Stalin, also a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, was taken away in a police bus. He is reportedly expected to be transported to Thanjavur, where the case against him was registered. The detention occurred shortly after he approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the allegations.

The plea for anticipatory bail is scheduled to be heard by Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan. Meanwhile, workers and supporters of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) staged a protest against Udhayanidhi Stalin in Coimbatore, escalating the political tensions surrounding the issue.

Earlier on Tuesday, the ruling TVK had filed complaints with local police and the National Commission for Women (NCW) regarding the allegedly offensive remarks. A police complaint was lodged at the Thanjavur East Police Station by S Bairavi, the TVK's Central District Women's Wing Organiser for Thanjavur. A significant police presence has been deployed in front of Stalin's residence in anticipation of further developments.