Actor and AIADMK MLA Karunas was on Sunday arrested for his “provocative speech” against Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and senior police officials at a rally in Chennai last week.
In his speech, Karunas tore into Palaniswami, other ministers and senior police officials while talking about the functioning of the AIADMK government and how many owed their positions to the jailed leader V K Sasikala.
He claimed that they "ditched" her. Karunas, a popular comedian before he took the political plunge, also made provocative remarks against Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.
Also in his speech, Karunas justified murder and use of weapons by his community members, while daring the police to act against them.
After the video of his speech went viral, Nungambakkam Police registered cases against Karunas under 153, 153 (A) (1)(a), (1)(b)(c)(ii), 307, 506 (i) & R/W 120 (b) IPC and Section 41(VI)(a)(b)(c)(II), Madras City Police Act 1888, for criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity, promoting disharmony, attempt to murder and issuing death threat.
The Thiruvadanai MLA, who also heads the caste outfit Mukkulathor Puli Padai, was picked up by the police in the wee hours of Sunday from his residence in Saligramam in Chennai.
After the arrest, Karunas was produced before Judge Gopinath, who remanded him to a judicial custody for 15 days.
Unfazed after his arrest, Karunas told reporters that prison was not new to him and asserted that he will face the police action legally. Karunas, who was lodged in Puzhal prison is likely to be shifted to Vellore Central prison.
Karuna’s arrest triggered calls from various political parties, including Tamil Nadu's principal Opposition party the DMK, to take BJP leader H Raja into custody.
Raja has also been booked for derogatory statements against judiciary and police officials.
Opposition Leader M K Stalin accused the government of following different rule of law for different people.
“The Tamil Nadu government’s policy of changing law according to people is condemnable. Why has the police, which arrested Karunas despite his regret, not yet taken into custody H Raja and S Ve Shekhar, despite their provocative remarks?” he asked.