Tamil Nadu Minister Sarathkumar faces question in Assembly over action resembling ‘drug use’

Weeks after an outdated video clip confirmed D. Sarathkumar, presently Tamil Nadu Minister for Human Sources, indulging in an act that resembled preparation for snorting drugs surfaced, the problem figured within the Legislative Meeting on Monday (August 17, 2026).

The Minister, nonetheless, mentioned he had already given his rationalization (that he was powdering a pill for his little one on a cell phone display utilizing a financial institution card). He questioned whether or not “medication have been bought on the gates of the [Chepauk] stadium,” because the alleged incident occurred throughout an IPL match when the DMK was in energy.

“The Opposition might have a distinction of opinion and opposite views on what I’ve mentioned. Can they increase the problem with none proof? There isn’t any want to lift the problem unnecessarily after I’ve clarified. Even in my division, there was a rip-off involving ₹888 crore, promising authorities jobs,” he mentioned.

Mr. Sarathkumar gave his rationalization after Chief of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin accused the Minister of “crushing powder” throughout an IPL match and the Minister subsequently claimed that he “crushed solely tablets for his little one.”

Mr. Udhayanidhi raised the problem after Regulation Minister R. Nirmalkumar recalled the arrest of Jaffer Sadiq, a world drug peddler, who was allegedly seen in {a photograph} with the previous Chief Minister M.Ok. Stalin, his relations, and ministers. “Although he was arrested and instances have been filed in Delhi, no case was filed in Tamil Nadu,” he alleged.

Mr. Udhayanidhi mentioned when the problem was delivered to the discover of the DMK management, Mr. Sadiq was arrested and sacked from the social gathering. “However what motion had you taken towards the Minister? Did the police inquire into it? A whole lot of ruling partymen are concerned in drug-use instances,” he alleged.

Former DMK Minister Ok.N. Nehru requested whether or not it was correct to lift the problem of a job rip-off case registered by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) when the matter was pending in courtroom. “We’re solely asking whether or not the Minister used his card to crush the tablets,” he mentioned.

AIADMK member S.P. Velumani mentioned the complaint of Coimbatore engineering college student late Amuthan’s parents was that drug use was prevalent in faculties and schools throughout the State. “Drug use is concerned within the case. The [Law] Minister’s rationalization is predicated on the police report, however the police had not given a correct report. Take acceptable motion,” he mentioned.

Earlier, CPI(M) MLA A. Chellasamy mentioned the “weeds” within the police drive ought to be eliminated to make it environment friendly. AIADMK member R. Kamaraj mentioned ₹6 lakh was not ample and demanded ₹25 lakh compensation for the household of Amuthan.