"Have To Respect The Chief Minister": Madras High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail To DMK MLA Over Remarks On CM Joseph Vijay

The Madras High Court, on Friday (July 3rd), dismissed an anticipatory bail petition filed by DMK MLA Anita R Radhakrishnan in a case registered against him for making objectionable statements against the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Joseph Vijay. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 294]While speaking at a public event on June 20, Radhakrishnan is said to have made statements against the CM, saying that his demeanor in the Assembly was similar to that of a person feeling trapped and commenting about his life in the movie industry, before moving into politics. Following a complaint, cases were registered under Section 352 [Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace] and Section 353(2) [statements conducing to public mischief] of the BNS. Apprehending arrest, Radhakrishnan had approached the court.Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan dismissed the plea. During the course of the hearing, the judge orally remarked that Radhakrishnan, being a member of the legislative assembly, should not have made such statements. "Being a member of the legislative assembly, what kind of speech you've spoken? Whoever it maybe, you have to respect the CM," the court orally remarked.The court also orally remarked that the State of Tamil Nadu has been seeing leaders who have come from the cine industry since 1967. The court added that these leaders were elected by the people, and in such circumstances, the statement made by Radhakrishnan was unwarranted. "In state of TN, since 1967, people from the cinema are being voted. Then why are you making these statements? You're not a layman. You're a member of the assembly", the court orally remarked. When the case came up for consideration on Friday, Senior Advocate NR Elango argued that Radhakrishnan's speech would not attract the ingredients of the sections charged. He added that there was no provocation in the speech. To this, the court commented that the complaint was made only because there was some provocation.Elango argued that there was no intention to break the public peace or an intention to create feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will. He added that the statements made by Radhakrishnan would only fall within defamation, for which a definite procedure of law had been provided. He thus argued that the present case was not sustainable. "Whatever he has spoken may be defamation. But not these sections. There's a procedure contemplated for defamation. I'm not saying it's not defamatory. It is defamatory. But the procedure for defamation has to be followed. If a statement is made in connection with public duty, the prosecutor can file. If it's not in connection with official functions and relates to private life, a complaint can be given in an individual capacity. This is not the way the police should use their powers," Elango argued. The State objected to the plea and argued that even today, Radhakrishnan had not shown any remorse for the statements made by him. It was argued that the statements were made against the office of the Chief Minister, and if such conduct was permitted, any Tom, Dick or Harry would make statements against the Chief Minister. "He should not have made such statements. Should have exercised restraint. Even today, there is no remorse. Today we're dealing with the office of CM. Can we let any Tom, Dick and Harry to make comments against the CM?" the State argued.After considering the arguments, the court dismissed the plea. Order copy awaited.Case Title: Anitha R Radhakrishnan v The StateCitation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 294Case No: Crl OP (MD) 12851 of 2026

"Have To Respect The Chief Minister": Madras High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail To DMK MLA Over Remarks On CM Joseph Vijay

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"Have To Respect The Chief Minister": Madras High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail To DMK MLA Over Remarks On CM Joseph Vijay

Upasana Sajeev

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