Karunaas arrested for threats, lodged in Vellore Central Prison

The Mukkulathor Pulipadai founder was booked under various sections including attempted murder on Thursday for speaking in a manner threatening the Chief Minister and police officials. Speaking at a party event on September 17, he had encouraged his party cadre to even commit murder if they are targeted.

Around 5.30 am on Sunday, a team of police personnel surrounded Karunaas’ house in Dhasarathapuram in Vadapalani. 

Assistant Commissioners Muthuvelpandi and Govindharaj entered the house and brought him out around 6.30 am. 

His party cadre gathered in large numbers in front of the house and raised slogans against the police department as well the Chief Minister. 

While Karunaas raised doubts on whether the Governor was informed about the arrest, police clarified that action was taken as per the protocol. 

Karunaas was produced before the 13th sessions court’s magistrate Gopinath, who struck down the attempted murder charge and remanded him in judicial custody till October 5. Selvanayagam, a key member of Mukkulathor Pulipadai, was also produced before the magistrate. 

While police initially sent them to the Central Prison in Puzhal, Karunaas was soon transferred to Vellore citing security reasons. Selvanayagam was shifted to the Cuddalore prison.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Madurai, Minister for Cooperation Sellur K Raja said the State government will not act partially against anybody. Stating that the law has taken its course, Raju said all were equal in the eyes of law.

The arrest of actor-turned-politician Karunaas on Sunday invoked mixed political response in the State.

Questioning the alleged bias of the ruling AIADMK, DMK president Stalin said the government has arrested Karunaas only to prevent him from revealing the secrets behind Eddappadi K Palaniswami’s rise to the Chief Minister Office. 

“It is evident from Karunaas’ arrest and inaction on H Raja and S Ve Shekher, who also made controversial statements, that law works differently for different people in the AIADMK regime,” he said.

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader TTV Dhinakaran said the State government is acting partial in arresting people and is containing dissent voices. 

Though he said that Karunaas should have spoken more responsibly, Dhinakaran said: “The government should be neutral to all. Karunaas accepted his mistake and expressed regret. Yet he was arrested but H Raja who abused the judiciary and the police department did not even acknowledge his statement. The government is acting in a lopsided manner.” 

The same view was expressed by CPI State Secretary R Mutharasan who said, “The State government is acting like a puppet government.” 

DMDK leader Vijayakanth also condemned the arrest of Karunaas. In a tweet, he said that the State government is protecting people who are close to it, while arresting others to create fear. 

However, Union Minister of State Pon Radhakrishnan said that police might have arrested Karunaas for the threatening nature of his speech. 

“Karunaas as an MLA should have spoken more responsibly. The police might have thought that his speech would trigger violence and hence arrested him,” said Radhakrishnan.