Convoy twist, protests, then bail: Stalin Jr walks free after dramatic day

Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, arrested on Tuesday in connection with the alleged “double-meaning” remark case, was released on station bail after around an hour of questioning at Sengipatti Police Station near Thanjavur.He walked out to a rousing welcome from hundreds of DMK workers, capping a day of political drama that saw police abruptly reroute his convoy after a large crowd gathered outside Thanjavur South Police Station.Udhayanidhi, who was arrested from his Chennai residence around 11 am, was released nearly nine hours later, in line with the Tamil Nadu government’s assurance before the Madras High Court that he would be freed after questioning.POLICE REROUTE CONVOY AS DMK WORKERS GATHERAfter arresting Udhayanidhi, Thanjavur police initially began transporting him to Thanjavur South Police Station for questioning, as indicated during proceedings before the High Court. However, the plan changed as the convoy approached the town.Police found the area around the station packed with DMK workers waving party flags and raising slogans against the TVK government. With security personnel struggling to manage the swelling crowd, the convoy made a sudden U-turn and headed towards Sengipatti Police Station, around 21 km away. The diversion triggered confusion among party workers, many of whom rushed towards Sengipatti after learning of the route change.UDHAYANIDHI INITIALLY REFUSES TO LEAVE VEHICLEAccording to sources, Udhayanidhi initially refused to step out of the police vehicle, arguing that Sengipatti was not the police station mentioned before the High Court during the hearing on his arrest.The standoff lasted briefly before he eventually stepped out of the police van and waved to cheering supporters gathered outside the station.Senior police officers, including the Inspector General of Police, Central Zone, reached Sengipatti to oversee security arrangements.Even after the venue was shifted, elaborate security remained in place in Thanjavur town and around Thanjavur South Police Station, where authorities had initially planned to question him.UDHAYANIDHI GETS ROUSING WELCOMEUdhayanidhi was questioned for around an hour before being released on station bail.Visuals from Sengipatti showed hundreds of DMK cadres raising slogans and cheering as Udhayanidhi walked out of the police station. He acknowledged the welcome by greeting supporters from an open vehicle before leaving for Chennai.The Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly is expected to reach his Chennai residence by around 10.30 pm.Police had earlier assured the Madras High Court that Udhayanidhi would be questioned and released on station bail.ARREST OVER TRISHA REMARKUdhayanidhi was arrested on Tuesday morning from his Neelankarai residence in Chennai over an alleged "double-meaning" remark made during a DMK protest on the Cauvery issue in Thanjavur on Monday.He has been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges relating to the use of obscene words, insulting the modesty of a woman, promoting enmity, provoking riots and criminal intimidation.Provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act have also been invoked.The case stems from a complaint filed by TVK leaders, who alleged that Udhayanidhi made an objectionable remark after sections of the crowd chanted actor Trisha's name during his speech.POLITICAL SLUGFESTThe arrest sparked statewide protests by the DMK, with workers staging road blockades and demonstrations across Tamil Nadu.DMK president MK Stalin accused the TVK government of misusing police machinery to prevent Udhayanidhi from attending the Assembly session beginning on Wednesday, alleging that non-bailable charges were invoked for political reasons.Stalin warned that arrogance leads to destruction, accusing the Vijay government of using police action to divert attention from its "failure" to protect the state's interests on the Cauvery water issue.The ruling TVK, meanwhile, defended the police action, insisting that the law was taking its course and accusing the DMK leader of making an offensive remark against a woman.- EndsPublished By: Sonali VermaPublished On: Aug 4, 2026 20:34 IST