Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Udhayanidhi Stalin Booked Over Alleged Child Role in Dharapuram Campaign
Police in Tamil Nadu have filed a case against Udhayanidhi Stalin.
They allege that a child was involved in a campaign meeting in Dharapuram.
The meeting was held near the Periyar statue on Saturday.
One report says the child was put on a campaign van and given a microphone.
Police say the child spoke in a way that insulted Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
Election Commission instructions say children should not be involved in election activities.
A PTI report gives specific legal sections, but police accounts in other reports do not name them.
The investigation is continuing, and no findings proving the allegations have been announced.
Tiruppur district police registered a case against Udhayanidhi Stalin over the alleged involvement of a child in a Dharapuram by-election campaign.
Police said the alleged incident occurred at a campaign meeting near the Periyar statue on Saturday.
One report says the boy was brought onto a campaign van and given a microphone; police accounts allege the child spoke insultingly about Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
Police cited Election Commission instructions against involving children in election-related activity; the Model Code of Conduct is in force for the by-election.
A PTI report names provisions under two laws, while other police accounts say the provisions were not specified; the allegations remain under investigation.
- Who
- Tiruppur district police registered a case against Udhayanidhi Stalin over the alleged involvement of a child in campaigning.
- What
- The case concerns allegations that a child was used in a campaign meeting and spoke insultingly about the Chief Minister.
- When
- The alleged incident took place on Saturday; police registered the case on Sunday, October 4. Dharapuram by-election voting is scheduled for October 6.
- Where
- Near the Periyar statue in Dharapuram, Tamil Nadu; the case was registered at Dharapuram Police Station.
- Why
- Police allege that a child was involved in election campaigning, contrary to Election Commission instructions.
Police allegations
Unresolved claims and reporting differences
Child's alleged role
Police allegations
Police allege that a child was involved in election campaigning and spoke in a manner insulting to the Chief Minister. PTI reports that the child was brought onto a campaign van and given a microphone.
Unresolved claims and reporting differences
The allegations remain under investigation. Police accounts did not identify the child or fully explain how the child came to take part or the circumstances of the alleged remarks.
Legal provisions cited
Police allegations
A PTI report says the case was registered under Section 123(1) of the Representation of the People Act and Section 83 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
Unresolved claims and reporting differences
Several accounts based on the police release say it did not specify the legal provisions, so reports differ on whether those sections were disclosed.
- Person named in case
- Udhayanidhi Stalin, Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition and DMK leader
- Alleged incident
- Police allege a child was involved in a campaign meeting and made remarks insulting to the Chief Minister
- Reported circumstances
- PTI reported that the child was brought onto a campaign van and given a microphone
- Location
- Near the Periyar statue in Dharapuram; case registered at Dharapuram Police Station
- By-election
- Voting is scheduled for October 6; counting is scheduled for October 9
- Reported legal provisions
- PTI cited Section 123(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and Section 83 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015; other reports said police did not specify the provisions
- Case status
- Investigation is underway; no findings establishing the allegations have been announced
- Undisclosed details
- Police reports did not identify the child or complainant, and no response from Udhayanidhi was included
Sources
FIR against Udhayanidhi for involving child in campaign
Case filed against Udhayanidhi Stalin for involving minor in poll campaign
Udhaya Booked for Allegedly Involving Minor in Poll Campaign for Dharapuram By-Election
Why Udhayanidhi Stalin has been booked days before the Dharapuram bypoll