Chennai's Triplicane police interrogated the senior editor of Puthiya Thalaimurai Television and seized his mobile for cyber‑forensic analysis. The probe stems from allegations that ruling TVK MLA Elayaraja was offered ₹35 crore to vote against the government in the Assembly.

मुख्य बिंदु (Key Takeaways)

  • Senior editor of Puthiya Thalaimurai is a key witness in a high‑profile bribery case
  • The alleged bribe amounts to ₹35 crore, aimed at swaying multiple TVK MLAs
  • Cyber forensic examination of the journalist’s phone reveals continuous contact with accused

Triplicane police in Chennai have questioned Vijayan, senior news editor of Puthiya Thalaimurai Television, over two days and confiscated his mobile phone for cyber‑forensic analysis. The interrogation is linked to a claim by ruling TVK MLA Elayaraja that he was approached with a ₹35 crore bribe to cast a vote contrary to his party’s line in the Legislative Assembly.

Background and Allegations

In his complaint, MLA Elayaraja alleged that a Chennai‑based YouTuber, Tirunavukkarasu of Arumbakkam, who runs a polling agency called IPDS, along with several co‑conspirators, tried to influence him and roughly fifteen other TVK legislators. The plan, dubbed the “Meghalaya Project” by police, involved offering large sums of money to destabilise the state government. When the MLA refused, the conspirators allegedly threatened his life and that of his family.

Investigation Findings

According to an official police release, documentary evidence indicated that Vijayan had sent “objectionable” messages to the arrested conspirator Tirunavukkarasu and maintained continuous communication throughout the alleged scheme. Consequently, a summons was issued and Vijayan appeared before investigators on July 15‑16, where his statements were recorded. The seized mobile will be examined to determine whether he participated in or facilitated the conspiracy.

Press Club’s Reaction

The Chennai Press Club issued a statement urging Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to intervene and ensure the journalist is not harassed under the pretext of the investigation. The club emphasized that a free press is a cornerstone of democracy and any probe must adhere to transparent, lawful procedures.

Potential Ramifications

If the allegations are proven, the case could expose a large‑scale political corruption network, shaking the stability of the state government and eroding trust between ruling and opposition parties. Moreover, it would prompt media houses to revisit editorial policies concerning political contacts, given the recurring scrutiny of journalists’ relationships with politicians. The outcome of this investigation may redefine the balance between press freedom and law‑enforcement in India’s democratic framework.