Udhayanidhi Stalin will be released from custody today: TN government tells Madras High Court

The Tamil Nadu government informed the Madras High Court on Tuesday afternoon that Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin will be released from police custody today.

Stalin was taken into custody by the police this morning over a case concerning remarks about actress Trisha.

Advocate General (AG) Vijay Narayan told the Court that the State does not intend to keep Stalin in custody and that he was detained only in interest of women.

"He will be let out today itself on station bail," the AG told Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan.

The Court was hearing an anticipatory bail plea filed by Stalin, who had made certain remarks during a rally held at Thanjavur on the Cauvery water issue. The remarks were made in response to a section of the crowd chanting 'Trisha Trisha'. Stalin apparently responded with sexual innuendo.

The remarks did not go down well with the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and other opposition parties who demanded action. Subsequently, a complaint was filed by TVK at Thanjavur and a first information report (FIR) was lodged against Stalin for offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Information Technology Act and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.

Stalin then moved the High Court seeking anticipatory bail. However, the police detained him on Tuesday morning before the petition could be heard by the Court.