Two DMK leaders booked for obstructing police amid Anbil Mahesh arrest protests
Synopsis
The arrest of former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi over alleged ₹400 crore irregularities has set off a chain reaction — two senior DMK figures, ex-minister P.K. Sekarbabu and MP Dr Kalanidhi Veeraswamy, are now criminally booked for obstructing police during the protests that followed. The political fallout is widening fast.
Key Takeaways
Former DMK Minister P.K.
Sekarbabu and Lok Sabha MP Dr Kalanidhi Veeraswamy were booked on 28 October 2026 for allegedly obstructing police in Chennai .
Charges include unlawful assembly and preventing public servants from discharging duties , registered by Vepery police .
The protests were triggered by the arrest of former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi over alleged financial irregularities of ₹400 crore .
DMK members gathered at the Commissioner's office , Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital , and near court premises; some allegedly blocked police vehicles.
Anbil Mahesh was reportedly remanded in judicial custody around midnight after being produced before a court.
Neither Sekarbabu nor Veeraswamy has publicly responded to the allegations against them.
Former Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Minister P.K. Sekarbabu and party Lok Sabha member Dr Kalanidhi Veeraswamy were booked on 28 October 2026 for allegedly obstructing police personnel during protests in Chennai triggered by the arrest of former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. The Vepery police registered the case following a confrontation outside the Chennai Police Commissioner's office, where Anbil Mahesh was reportedly taken after his detention.
What Happened Outside the Commissioner's Office
DMK functionaries, including Sekarbabu and Veeraswamy, assembled outside the Commissioner's office after learning that Anbil Mahesh had been brought there. A heated argument broke out between party members and police personnel at the location. During the exchange, Sekarbabu allegedly challenged the police over their conduct, asking, 'Are you acting as mediators?' — a remark that reportedly escalated tensions at the scene. Veeraswamy also reportedly joined the confrontation alongside other party members.
Charges Filed and Locations of Protest
The charges levelled against the two leaders include unlawful assembly and preventing public servants from discharging their official duties. Protests by DMK functionaries were not confined to the Commissioner's office — party members also gathered at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and near the court premises as Anbil Mahesh was moved between medical examination and court proceedings. According to reports, some DMK members allegedly blocked police vehicles at these locations during his transit.
The Anbil Mahesh Case: Alleged ₹400 Crore Irregularities
Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was arrested in connection with alleged financial irregularities amounting to ₹400 crore during his tenure as School Education Minister in the previous DMK government. He was subsequently produced before a court, which reportedly remanded him in judicial custody around midnight on the same day. The allegations against Sekarbabu and Veeraswamy are separate from and relate solely to their conduct during the protests.
No Response Yet from the Accused Leaders
Neither Sekarbabu nor Veeraswamy has responded publicly to the allegations that prompted the Vepery police case, according to available reports. The episode marks a significant escalation in the political fallout surrounding Anbil Mahesh's arrest, with senior party figures now directly facing criminal proceedings. This comes amid broader scrutiny of the former DMK government's tenure in Tamil Nadu.
Point of View
Or that the situation outside the Commissioner's office genuinely spiralled. Either way, the DMK faces a dual crisis: defending Anbil Mahesh on ₹400 crore irregularity charges while also managing the optics of its own leaders being booked for street-level confrontation with police. The silence from Sekarbabu and Veeraswamy is notable — in Indian politics, a prompt denial is the norm. Its absence may signal legal caution or a coordinated party response still being formulated.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were P.K. Sekarbabu and Dr Kalanidhi Veeraswamy booked by police?
They were booked by the Vepery police on 28 October 2026 for allegedly obstructing police personnel and participating in unlawful assembly during protests outside the Chennai Police Commissioner's office. The protests were triggered by the arrest of former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.
What is Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi accused of?
Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, former School Education Minister in the previous DMK government in Tamil Nadu, was arrested over alleged financial irregularities amounting to ₹400 crore during his ministerial tenure. He was produced before a court, which reportedly remanded him in judicial custody around midnight.
What charges were filed against the DMK leaders?
The Vepery police filed charges of unlawful assembly and preventing public servants from discharging their official duties against P.K. Sekarbabu and Dr Kalanidhi Veeraswamy. The case relates to their alleged conduct during the confrontation outside the Chennai Police Commissioner's office.
Where did the DMK protests take place on 28 October?
Protests by DMK functionaries took place at multiple locations in Chennai — outside the Police Commissioner's office, at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, and near court premises. Some party members allegedly blocked police vehicles during Anbil Mahesh's movement between these locations.
Have Sekarbabu or Veeraswamy responded to the allegations?
As of the latest available reports, neither P.K. Sekarbabu nor Dr Kalanidhi Veeraswamy has issued a public response to the charges filed against them by the Vepery police.
