DMK MLA Markandeyan Sent to 14-Day Judicial Custody; Stalin Warns of "Consequences," Son Alleges Police Intimidation

After nearly 13 hours of questioning, DMK Vilathikulam MLA G.V. Markandeyan was produced before a local court on July 21 and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody, a day after his arrest over a speech alleged to have threatened Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Markandeyan's son, Akshay, told reporters that his father, who suffers from diabetes and heart-related ailments, had been interrogated for close to 13 hours over a speech that lasted only about five minutes, and alleged that police had pressured and intimidated him during questioning. He said the family would pursue legal remedies over what it called police excesses.

DMK president M.K. Stalin condemned the arrest and remand, alleging that police had acted to please the ruling establishment and warning of "consequences" if the department failed to act according to law and conscience. He reiterated his charge that the ruling TVK government was targeting opposition leaders who highlighted shortcomings in its administration.

DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi also criticised the action, alleging that the TVK-led government was misusing the police machinery against DMK functionaries and demanding Markandeyan's immediate release.

The case stems from remarks Markandeyan made at a DMK public meeting in Kovilpatti on the night of July 19, where he was alleged to have said the Chief Minister's "bones would be broken," prompting police to register an FIR under three sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita covering criminal intimidation, intentional insult meant to provoke a breach of public peace, and spreading false information.