While the ruling administration termed the action an investigation into institutional corruption, the DMK condemned the arrest as political vendetta. Meanwhile, 17 remand prisoners escaped from a sub-jail in Thekkampatti, Theni, after faking a medical seizure and assaulting prison staff, prompting a multi-district search operation that has recaptured four fugitives.
In another key decision, the state government announced the phased introduction of digital payments across 4,082 state-run TASMAC liquor outlets to curb overcharging and cash handling discrepancies. Additionally, Andhra Pradesh is on high alert as Cyclone Omar approaches landfall near Yanam and Visakhapatnam.