Threat to CM Vijay: Vilathikulam DMK MLA’s bail plea dismissed

V. Markandayan, who was arrested for his remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, being produced at the Judicial Magistrate Court 1 in Thoothukudi on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

A court here on Wednesday dismissed the bail petition of Vilathikulam MLA G. V. Markandayan, who was arrested for his alleged derogatory and threatening remarks against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at a public meeting held at Kovilpatti in the district recently.The Judicial Magistrate – I, Sumathi also rejected the police’s plea seeking custody for questioning of Mr. Markandeyan, who has been lodged in Palayamkottai Central Prison after being remanded in judicial custody on Monday.When his bail petition came-up for hearing on Wednesday, the prosecution opposed it saying that the bail petition should be rejected as the accused had issued serious threat to the Chief Minister.The petitioner’s counsel, after seeking the bail, said there was no need for granting police custody for questioning Mr. Markandeyan, who was interrogated for nearly 11 hours after he was picked up on Monday morning.As Ms. Sumathi dismissed both the petitions, Mr. Markandayan, who had been brought to the court here, was taken back to Palayamkottai Central Prison.While addressing a public meeting in Kovilpatti last Saturday (July 18), Mr. Markandayan allegedly issued threats to Mr. Vijay. Registering a case against Mr. Markandayan, the District Crime Branch police said the DMK MLA had issued a threat at the public meeting stating to break the bones of the Chief Minister and that had led to his arrest and subsequent judicial custody till August 3. Published - July 22, 2026 10:24 pm IST