A court in Thoothukudi rejected the bail plea of DMK MLA G.V. Markandeyan, who was arrested for allegedly making defamatory and provocative remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay during a public meeting in Kovilpatti. The ruling means that the Vilathikulam legislator will remain in judicial custody at the Palayamkottai Central Prison.
The case was filed by the Thoothukudi District Crime Branch following a complaint accusing Markandeyan of making objectionable statements about the Chief Minister at a political gathering in Kovilpatti. Police stated that the speech included defamatory remarks capable of disrupting public order, leading to the initiation of a criminal case.
Markandeyan was arrested by the District Crime Branch and underwent extensive interrogation regarding the speech’s content and delivery circumstances. Despite the police’s request for further custody for interrogation, the court remanded him to 15 days of judicial custody until August 3, denying the bail application.
