DMK Councilor Arrested Over Controversial Remarks About Karur Stampede

The Puzhal police on Wednesday arrested Vellore DMK councilor “Teet” Saravanan after a video of him making a controversial remark about the Karur stampede went viral on social media.

Saravanan reportedly did this during a protest by DMK cadres on Monday evening when former DMK minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was taken to Puzhal Central Jail following his arrest in a case related to allegedly extorting money from private school managements on the promise of securing government approval or recognition for the previous DMK regime.

In a video that went viral on social media, Saravanan was heard saying, “If we had terminated him that day in Karur, we would not be in this situation today.” The remark was reportedly directed at TVK president and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in an apparent reference to the Karur stampede.

The Puzhal police registered a case against Saravanan under sections 192 (intentional provocation with intent to cause riot), 296(b) (obscene acts and songs), 353(1) (statements leading to public mischief) and 351(3) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya.

Police launched a manhunt for the councilman after he went on the run. He was eventually traced to a DMK functionary’s house in Villupuram, arrested and taken to Chennai, police sources said.

Meanwhile, the Vepera police have charged former DMK Minister Sekar Baba, MP Kalanidhi Veerasamy and 10 others for staging a protest outside the Police Commissioner’s office on Monday in connection with the arrest and questioning of Mr Poyyamozhi. Mr. Sekar Babu is said to have exchanged heated words with the policemen during the protest.

The former minister and the others were accused of unlawful assembly and obstructing civil servants in the performance of their duties.

Published – 28 Oct 2026 21:49 IST