Located in the southernmost part of the country, Tamil Nadu is an Indian state bounded by the Indian Ocean to the east and south. It is surrounded by the states of Kerala to the west, Karnataka to the northwest and Andhra Pradesh to the north. Along the north-central coast are the enclaves of Puducherry and Karaikal. The state shares a maritime border with Sri Lanka.
Tamil Nadu is the 10th largest state by area and the 6th largest by population. Its capital city is Chennai which is also the largest city in the state. Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Salem are some other major cities of the state. The climate of Tamil Nadu is mainly tropical and is mostly dependent on monsoon rains.
Tamil is the only official language of the state. Other languages used within the state are Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
Tamil Nadu was formerly the Madras Presidency of British India. In 1947, when India got independence, Madras presidency was named Madras state. Later in 1969, Madras state was renamed Tamil Nadu.
The high peaks of the Western Ghats run along the state’s western border. Nilgiri, Anaimalai and Palni hills are part of this mountain range. The Kaveri, the Ponnaiyar, the Palar are some of the major rivers to flow through the state.
It is mostly known for monumental ancient Hindu temples and the classical form of dance Bharata Natyam. Pongal is the most widely celebrated festival of the state. The state is home to a number of historic buildings, pilgrimage sites, hill stations and World Heritage sites. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Brihadishwara Temple in Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram along with the collection of other monuments in Mamallapuram is flocked by tourists from across the world.
A dramatic 40-kilometre car chase unfolded near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, after suspects transporting banned gutkha and tobacco attempted to escape police inspection. During a vehicle check, occupants of a luxury SUV pushed police personnel and fled. Head Constable Velmurugan jumped onto the roof of the moving vehicle, holding onto the roof rails as the suspects sped towards Avinashi. Surrounded by police vehicles and ambulances, the chase concluded near Annapoorna Hotel in Avinashi with public assistance. Police apprehended three men from Rajasthan and seized approximately 300 kilograms of contraband gutkha allegedly being transported from Bengaluru to Coimbatore.
The Tamil Nadu government has revoked a controversial order that exempted law and order matters from the Right to Information Act following intense backlash from opposition parties and its own allies. Opposition parties, including the DMK and AIADMK, opposed the move, alleging it was an attempt to conceal rising crime figures and shield the accused in the Veeramani case. Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin claimed that 500 murders had taken place since the TVK government assumed office. Key allies, including the Congress and CPM, also voiced strong objections, arguing that exempting the department from the transparency law set a poor precedent for accountable governance. Activists, including members of Arappor Iyakkam, noted that the order would not hold up in court. This marks another rollback by the administration, which previously withdrew orders concerning student protest regulations and the appointment of an astrologer as an Officer on Special Duty.
The Tamil Nadu government faces severe backlash from its allies, the Congress and the CPM, following its decision to exempt law and order matters from the purview of the Right to Information Act by classifying the department as an intelligence and security organisation. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram opposed the move, stating that restricting RTI sets a bad precedent and that the Act should be expanded. Meanwhile, CPM MP Su Venkatesan demanded an immediate rollback, alleging an attempt to turn the state into a police state. Opposition parties, including the AIADMK, have also criticised the government over the timing of the notification.
A political row has erupted in Tamil Nadu over the proposed twelve hundred crore rupees plan for a new secretariat facing the sea. The state government also faces criticism over the ongoing Kaveri water-sharing dispute, a longstanding issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Tensions continue to rise between political leaders in the state as disputes persist over administrative expenditure, public infrastructure projects, and the release of Kaveri river water.
The Tamil Nadu government has exempted law and order matters from the Right to Information (RTI) Act, sparking criticism amid existing scrutiny over state security. Under the new move, the public law and order wing, which handles communal and caste clashes, police torture, remand deaths, and commission of inquiry matters, has been rebranded as an intelligence and security wing. The department also addresses political, student, agricultural, and labour agitations, alongside National Human Rights Commission references and preventive detentions under the National Security Act. Opposition parties and RTI activists are expected to challenge the decision, which was issued via a government gazette order approved by the Governor. Meanwhile, the first anniversary of the Karur stampede tragedy was marked, recalling the incident during an election campaign roadshow that claimed 41 lives.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has approached the Election Commission against Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leaders over alleged violations of the model code of conduct ahead of upcoming by-polls in Tamil Nadu. DMK MP Constantine Ravindran lodged the complaint against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and Minister Udhayanidhi regarding remarks made during election campaigning in Madurantakam. The complaint states that the TVK leaders referenced an ongoing Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act case involving granite baron R. Veeramani, allegedly defying directions and an injunction previously issued by the Madras High Court. The court had instructed that sensitive matters involving heinous crimes and ongoing investigations should not be politicised or reported carelessly during electioneering. The DMK MP flagged the campaign speeches to the poll panel, alleging that the leaders contravened electoral guidelines by bringing up the matter during public rallies.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has strongly criticised the Congress party following clarifications from the Election Commission of India regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The ruling party highlighted that every decision concerning SIR was made unanimously by the full commission, dismissing allegations by the opposition as manufactured falsehoods aimed at discrediting constitutional institutions. The BJP stated that while the opposition accepts the electoral process when securing victories in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, it questions democratic institutions upon facing defeat elsewhere, calling for an end to selective respect for democracy.
A political controversy has erupted during by-poll campaigning in Tamil Nadu over the proposed construction of a new secretariat building near the beach at an estimated cost of twelve hundred crore rupees. Questions have been raised regarding the choice of the location facing the sea near the Chief Minister's residence, alongside remarks suggesting astrological counsel behind the decision. Clarifications were issued stating that references to the Chief Minister's disposition were strictly about the inclination to work. The comments have sparked sharp exchanges amidst the ongoing election campaign across the state.
A power cut disrupted a graduation ceremony at the Government Law College in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, while Justice Jagdish Chandra was addressing the gathering. The state's Electricity Minister, CTR Nirmal Kumar, was also seated on the dais when the outage occurred. The brief interruption caused surprise among attending dignitaries and students amid ongoing complaints regarding power supply issues across the state. Minister Nirmal Kumar later clarified on social media platform X that the power cut was brief and caused by a generator shift jump between units, following which power was quickly restored. The incident comes amid rising discussions over increasing power consumption and the need for alternate energy solutions.
The arrest of eighty-four-year-old industrialist R. Veeramani under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act has triggered a political controversy in Tamil Nadu. Veeramani, founder of GEM Granites, faces allegations of sexually abusing multiple minors over several years at a rented premises. Police have arrested four individuals so far, including his close aides Mahendra Simhan, Shanthi, and Ganeshan. An all-women Special Investigation Team has been formed to probe the case. Investigators are also examining financial transactions involving around seventy crore rupees and a property deal allegedly used to facilitate the crimes and suppress complaints. The case was previously dropped by police citing unclear video evidence from a whistleblower pen drive, before a special court directed a reinvestigation. The development has sparked a sharp political confrontation between the DMK and TVK over allegations of administrative inaction and cover-ups.
A political war of words has broken out in Tamil Nadu over the Veeramani case. Accusations have been traded regarding the handling of the alleged sex scandal, with questions raised over action taken during past and present administrations. The opposition has pointed to court interventions by a special POCSO judge compelling police action, while demands have also emerged for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the matter. Meanwhile, judicial custody for the accused Veeramani has been extended till October 9.
In Tamil Nadu's Valparai, police have booked TVK leaders, including the city secretary, along with nearly 20 others under the Doctors Protection Act for allegedly threatening government doctors. The incident occurred after a five-year-old boy who sustained injuries in a leopard attack was brought to the government hospital for emergency care. According to reports, a group entered the premises, questioned the medical staff, and created a ruckus while essential treatment was being administered. Hospital authorities alerted the police after staff were obstructed from providing required medical aid, leading to an FIR being registered against the individuals involved.
A political row has erupted in Tamil Nadu over the Veeramani case, with allegations traded between political leaders over handling of the matter and court interventions. While demands for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe have been raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party, allegations have also been made regarding past inaction and claims of credit over the arrest of the accused. The matter, involving the alleged abuse of minor girls, was highlighted following directives by the special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences court judge Padma Shanmugasundaram, prompting police action. Meanwhile, the judicial custody of Veeramani has been extended till October 9.
The News Today reports on the political controversy surrounding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision exercise.
Tamil Nadu granite industrialist and Gem Granites founder R Veeramani faces an intensive probe under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act following his arrest over allegations of minor sexual abuse.
GEM Granites founder and industrialist R. Veeramani is lodged in Chennai's Puzhal Central Prison following grave allegations of sexually abusing multiple minors over several years at a rented house. The 84-year-old businessman, who held prominent positions across granite trade bodies, government advisory boards, and educational institutions, reportedly utilised money power to suppress the crimes. Investigators are probing an alleged 70 crore rupees money trail and a suspicious land transaction linked to the case. Despite decades of wielded influence across political and corporate corridors in Tamil Nadu, the industrialist is now facing legal scrutiny.
A political row has erupted over the Veeramani case after Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader and Chief Minister Vijay publicly questioned the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regarding its inaction during the previous regime. Addressing the issue while campaigning for the Marathakam by-poll, Vijay questioned why Veeramani was shielded despite allegations of abusing children. Aadhav Arjuna also demanded answers from the DMK regarding the delayed action. Meanwhile, an India Today report featured an account from an NGO whistleblower who stated that a pen drive containing video evidence of abuse was received anonymously on 6 October 2025 and submitted directly to the Anti-Vice Squad. The whistleblower revealed that the 20-minute footage showed the abuse of a minor girl, yet no prompt action was taken by authorities at the time. Correspondent Apoorva Jayachandran noted that scrutiny has intensified around an alleged nexus involving government and police officials who purportedly stalled investigations citing insufficient evidence.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO) founder-secretary A. J. Hariharan detailed how his NGO blew the lid on the child sexual abuse case involving industrialist R. Veeramani. Hariharan explained that on October 6, 2025, an anonymous person delivered an envelope containing a scribbled note and a red pen drive to their office. Upon reviewing the twenty-minute footage, Hariharan stated, "it was clearly an abuse scene," showing an elderly man abusing a girl who appeared to be around twelve years old. Rejecting suggestions of purposeful masking, he noted that the poor quality video captured the assault. Citing two decades of close coordination with the Anti-Vice Squad in rescuing minors from commercial sexual exploitation, Hariharan confirmed that ICWO formally lodged a complaint with Assistant Commissioner Yasmin. He reiterated the NGO's commitment to ensuring justice while acknowledging their limited role after handing over the crucial electronic evidence to authorities.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched a fierce counter-attack against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) during a political address ahead of upcoming by-elections. Addressing sustained attacks and criticism from the principal opposition party, Vijay defended his administration's governance and welfare delivery, asserting that borrowing was undertaken exclusively for public welfare rather than corruption. Directly challenging former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the DMK leadership over past corruption inquiries, including the Sarkaria Commission, Vijay declared that his government represents the people. He contrasted his welfare schemes—such as fare-free bus travel and power initiatives—with the DMK's governance record, underlining that the electoral contest in Tamil Nadu remains squarely between his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and the DMK.
In the Veeramani POCSO case, two co-accused, Shanti and Mahendra Simhan, have been remanded to three-day custody of the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch for interrogation. Investigators are examining the extent of the alleged offences, the number of minors affected, and potential accomplices involved in the racket. Meanwhile, the investigation has triggered a political dispute ahead of state assembly by-polls. Former Chief Minister MK Stalin stated that no culprit should be spared and accused political opponents of making false allegations against the DMK, asserting that his party does not shield offenders. AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran questioned why initial complaints were not investigated promptly and called for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe.
