Hate Speech To Criminal Conspiracy: Full List Of Charges Against DMK Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin After ‘Trisha’ Remark

Udhayanidhi Stalin faces hate speech, criminal conspiracy and harassment charges after the 'Trisha' remark row. Here's the full list of FIR charges.

Chennai: On Tuesday, Udhayanidhi Stalin, former Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition landed in legal trouble after being detained by police over his controversial remarks made during a public meeting in Thanjavur. Madras High Court later directed the police to release him after questioning, with the Tamil Nadu government informing the court that it had no intention of seeking his judicial remand.

The case dates back to a possibly insulting statement made by the politician at a rally on Aug 3, which the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) alleged was to actor Trisha Krishnan. While the DMK leader has denied that he used profanity or named the actress, the police have booked several charges against him.

Tamil Nadu DMK leader was taken into police custody from his home in Chennai's peaceful Neelankarai in the early hours. He was taken for questioning in the Thanjavur case and claimed that he had "not said anything wrong" before the police forced him out of his home. Deputy CM added that he was ready to comply with any legal action.

In a hearing of his anticipatory bail petition, the Tamil Nadu government told the Madras High Court that the DMK leader would be granted station bail after he was questioned and that the petitioner will cooperate with the probing agency.

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What Are the Charges Against Udhayanidhi Stalin?

According to the FIR registered at the Thanjavur Town East Police Station, Udhayanidhi Stalin faces a series of charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.

The charges include:

BNS Section 196 – Promoting enmity or hatred between groups (hate speech)

BNS Section 192 – Provoking a riot

BNS Section 352 – Intentional insult intended to provoke a breach of peace

BNS Section 79 – Insulting the modesty of a woman

BNS Section 296(b) – Uttering obscene words in a public place

BNS Section 61 – Criminal conspiracy

BNS Section 351(2) – Criminal intimidation

Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act- Harassment in public places

Section 67 of the Information Technology Act - Publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form

Among these, the inclusion of BNS Section 196 adds a hate speech charge to the case, making it one of the most serious allegations in the FIR.

What Has Udhayanidhi Stalin Said?

Speaking briefly to reporters before his detention, Udhayanidhi dismissed the allegations and insisted that he had not made any offensive remarks. He also claimed that he had not referred to anyone other than the Chief Minister during his speech.

DMK has accused the ruling government of targeting the opposition, while TVK workers staged protests in Coimbatore demanding action against the former deputy chief minister.

Although the Madras High Court has cleared the way for Udhayanidhi Stalin's release after questioning, the criminal case remains under investigation. He has been directed to cooperate with the police as authorities examine allegations ranging from hate speech and obscenity to criminal conspiracy and harassment.