DMK Cadre Greet Udayanidhi Stalin at Bell Release After Eight Hours in Custody

Udayanidhi Stalin, a senior figure of the opposition DMK, was released on Tuesday after spending eight hours in police custody. The release took place at the bell of the Sengipatti police station in Tirunelveli district, following a court‑ordered interrogation that lasted about ninety minutes.

The interrogation was overseen by senior police officials, including the District Police Superintendent. Initially, the police intended to move Stalin to the Tirunelveli South police station, but a large gathering of DMK workers forced a change of venue to Sengipatti.

Stalin initially resisted the questioning, refusing to step out of the police vehicle. After extensive dialogue with the officials, he entered the station and cooperated with the investigation.

Once freed, he was received by a throng of DMK supporters who lined the route in an open vehicle, waving and expressing gratitude. The enthusiastic welcome underscored the leader’s popularity within the party’s grassroots.

Earlier, his lawyer had filed an anticipatory bail petition in the Madras High Court. During the hearing, the state government assured the court that there was no intention to keep him in judicial custody and that he would be handed over to the station bell after questioning. The court recorded this assurance and ordered the police to complete the interrogation on the same day.

DMK president M.K. Stalin condemned the police action, alleging that the ruling TVK government was targeting opposition leaders to distract from its own failures. He also claimed the move was intended to prevent Udayanidhi Stalin from participating in the upcoming assembly budget session.

The detention sparked protests across several districts, with large crowds of DMK supporters gathering at police stations and public places as Stalin was escorted from Chennai to Tirunelveli.