TVK's Aadhav Arjuna Approaches Madras High Court For Quashing FIR Over Social Media Post

The General Secretary of Election Campaign Movement of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, Aadhav Arjuna, has approached the Madras High Court seeking to quash an FIR filed against him for allegedly inciting violence. 

It may be noted that the FIR was filed against Arjuna on September 30, 2025, for alleged offences under Sections 192 [wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot] , 196(1)(b) [promoting enmity between different groups], 197(1)(d) ]imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integrity], 353(1)(b), and 353 (2) [statements conducing to public mischief] of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS 2023. The FIR was regsitered against Arjuna for a post made by him in which he had stated that a revolution similar to that initiated by the Gen Z in Nepal and Srilanka would occur in the State, against the authorities.

In his plea, Arjuna stated that the post could not be said to be provocative or inciting rebellion against the sovereignty and integrity of India or endangering the security of the state or as inciting breach of public order. he submitted that the post was in response to the police violence meted out to the cadres of the TVK party following the Karur Stampede.

Arjuna stated that the social media comments of a political person, calling for regime change, should not be seen in isolation and must be understood in the context of the upcoming assembly elections in 2026. He added that he had made references to the riots in Nepal and Sri Lanka, only to show that the political leaders were appointees of the public and must be accountable and answerable to the public. He thus stated that the post was a strong expression of anger to the brutal police violence meted out to the party cadres, and the intent was to peacefully express dissent through casting a vote in the upcoming election. 

Aadhav further stated that the alleged was posted in the late hours of September 28, 2025, and was first edited within 15 minutes to remove references to Nepal and Srilanka and was later deleted completely. He pointed out that the alleged tweet was remained in his profile for only 34 minutes in the late hours and could not have ever been intended to foment and precipitate feelings against the integrity and sovereignty of India or to incite violence by the public.

It has also been stated that mere criticism of the police brutality in the country or the State does not constitute any offence under the BNS and such criticism is protected under the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

Case Title: Aadhav Arjuna v. State

Case No: Crl OP 83281/2025 (Filing No)