The city police arrested actor-turned politician and MLA Karunas for his provocative speech stating Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami was afraid of him.
Mr. Karunas, who contested on the ‘two leaves’ symbol of the AIADMK, was elected as an MLA from the Thiruvadanai constituency. He is also the founder of Mukkulathor Puli Padai, a caste outfit.
Three of his party members Karthik, Nedumaran and Selva Vinayagam were also arrested. They will be produced before judge Gopinath's house in Egmore for remand.
While addressing his party cadre in Valluvar Kottam on Monday, Mr. Karunas said: “You can even commit murder. But do so after informing me. There should be justification for that [the murder]...” Mr. Karunas claimed that over 100 police personnel were deployed at his pandal where he was protesting. "When I asked them what was the need [for such security], they said the Chief Minister is afraid that I was going to block him and beat him. I am not lying. You can check with the Chief Minister by calling him. That’s true.” He also claimed that the government headed by Mr. Palaniswami could not have been formed without his presence at the Koovathur beach resort, where the MLAs owing allegiance to V.K. Sasikala stayed in 2017. “I only showed them the Koovathur resort,” he said. He also personally attacked Deputy Commissioner of Police T.Nagar P. Aravindan for his recent action. He also made derogatory comments on caste. Nungambakkam police registered case under sections 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, issuing death threats.
