The Times of India

Nine policemen received the death penalty for the brutal torture and killing of a father and son in Madurai's Sathankulam police station. The duo died in custody in June 2020 after being detained for violating lockdown hours. The court deemed the custodial deaths a social evil, emphasizing the need for stringent punishment to deter future abuses and uphold responsibility.

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin accused the Puducherry CM of being a Delhi-controlled puppet, destroying the Union Territory's identity. He promised statehood, financial commission inclusion, and a 'Dravidian Model' development plan, including job creation and educational reforms.

AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami vowed to revive party schemes if elected, accusing the DMK government of stalling them. He expressed confidence in his alliance's victory in the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections. Meanwhile, prominent leaders from AIADMK, BJP, and PMK filed their nominations across various constituencies, engaging in electoral campaigning and criticism of the ruling DMK.

She said Vridhachalam holds a deep emotional significance for the party, as it was the seat where the late DMDK founder marked his spectacular electoral debut in 2006.

Jeyaraj and Beniks were taken to the Sathankulam police in Tuticorin district late in the evening of June 19, 2020, on charges of having kept their shop open beyond the deadline during the Covid-19 lockdown. They were brutally assaulted by the policemen at night and were lodged in Kovilpatti sub-jail the next day. Beniks died of injuries at the Kovilpatti govt hospital on June 22, 2020, while his father Jeyaraj died on June 23, 2020.

DMK is intensifying efforts in Western Tamil Nadu, a traditional stronghold of AIADMK, by focusing on development, caste outreach, and welfare. Despite AIADMK's regional advantage with leaders like Edappadi K. Palaniswami, DMK is deploying key figures and targeting specific communities. The contest is becoming more competitive, with new alliances and emerging parties adding complexity to the political landscape.

Roshini S, a 28-year-old social activist, is the NTK candidate for Villivakkam in the upcoming state assembly polls, aiming to be the first transwoman elected. She focuses on issues like education, women's empowerment, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. Roshini connects with voters as a sister, emphasizing her commitment to the community's future.

A 36-year-old Sri Lankan television actress, Subhashini, died by suicide in her Chennai apartment on Sunday night. Police reported the incident occurred during a video call with her husband, following a domestic dispute. The couple, married in April 2024, had been living in Bengaluru. An RDO inquiry has been ordered due to the recent marriage.

Income Tax officials are conducting searches across 15 locations in Chennai and Puducherry linked to DMK functionary Jaffer Sadiq, arrested by the NCB for alleged drug smuggling. These raids, based on new information about significant tax evasion, are happening while the model code of conduct is in effect.

In a bid to energize the electorate, the BJP has unveiled a vibrant manifesto for Puducherry, featuring enticing offerings such as complimentary LPG cylinders during festive seasons and electric scooters for exceptional female students graduating from Class XII.

The anticipated consolidation of Thevar votes in southern districts has fragmented, with key leaders aligning with different parties. This political realignment occurs as AIADMK seeks to regain ground, while DMK strengthens its position by inducting expelled AIADMK leaders. The presence of new political entities and community votes further complicates the electoral landscape.