Madras High Court Orders Release of Udhayanidhi Stalin After Arrest

The Madras High Court ordered the release of Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, on August 4, 2026. Stalin had been arrested by Thanjavur police for allegedly making misogynist and derogatory remarks, including a double-entendre about actor Trisha Krishnan, during a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) rally regarding the Cauvery water sharing dispute on August 3.

The arrest occurred at Stalin's residence in Neelankarai, Chennai, where police had deployed a large number of personnel to prevent protests. The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Women's Wing filed the complaint, leading to charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act, and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act. Stalin denied the allegations, asserting that edited content was used to misrepresent his words.

The detention sparked statewide protests by DMK cadres in Theni, Tiruchirappalli, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, and Ranipet, resulting in multiple detentions. DMK leaders characterized the arrest as a political vendetta designed to prevent Stalin from attending the Legislative Assembly's budget session on August 5. During the court hearing, Advocate General Vijay Narayan stated the state did not intend to remand Stalin, only to question him. The court directed his release on station bail following interrogation.