Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Aug 4: Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was released on station bail on Tuesday after being questioned by police in connection with a case registered against him, following directions from the Madras High Court.

The High Court had ordered the police to release Udhayanidhi after completing the inquiry on Tuesday itself.

Udhayanidhi was questioned for around one-and-a-half hours at Sengipatti Police Station in Thanjavur district in the presence of Superintendent of Police Sundaravathanam before being released. By the time the questioning began, he had spent nearly eight hours in police custody.

Police had initially planned to question him at the Thanjavur South Police Station. However, after a large number of DMK workers gathered outside the station, the venue was shifted to Sengipatti.

According to reports, Udhayanidhi initially objected to being questioned at Sengipatti and refused to alight from the police vehicle. Following discussions with police officials, he entered the station and cooperated with the investigation.

After his release, he was greeted by party workers assembled outside the police station. Standing in an open vehicle, he waved to supporters and acknowledged their greetings.

Before his detention, Udhayanidhi had approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail.

During the hearing, the Tamil Nadu government informed the court that it did not intend to seek his judicial remand and that he would be released on station bail after questioning.

Recording the government's submission, the High Court directed that the inquiry be completed on Tuesday and ordered the police not to prolong the questioning until the following day.

Meanwhile, DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condemned the police action, alleging that the ruling government had targeted the Leader of the Opposition to divert attention from key issues and prevent him from attending the state Assembly's Budget session beginning on Wednesday.

The arrest sparked protests by DMK cadres across Tamil Nadu, with party workers staging demonstrations and gathering outside police stations as Udhayanidhi was taken from Chennai to Thanjavur for questioning.