Tamil folk singer Kovan was arrested on October 30 from his house in Trichy district for allegedly mocking Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in his video album.
The Madras High Court has stayed the custodial interrogation of Tamil folk singer Kovan today. The singer is facing sedition charges for allegedly criticising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
He has now been sent back to the Puzhal jail, outside Chennai.
On Friday, a city court had permitted the police to interrogate him under custody for two days. The order by the Madras High Court came at the end of a day-long interrogation.
Mr Kovan's advocate Milton said, "The police claim they want to interrogate Kovan on his links with Naxals. But when we asked for proof, they have nothing."
The 54-year-old singer, whose real name is Sivadas, is a member of Makkal Kalai llakkiya Kazhagam. He was arrested on October 30 from his house in Trichy district for allegedly mocking Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in his video album that demands closure of liquor shops.
His album also caricatures her serving liquor to people besides slamming the state government's liquor policy. His song has gone viral on social media.
The Chennai police said, "It was a personal attack on Jayalalithaa and it attacks the state's liquor policy which could trigger enmity among groups".
"I will not stop singing and writing. People's anguish against liquor sale is much severe than what my song reflects," Mr Kovan told journalists on Wednesday.
Activists are against the arrest of Mr Kovan and many say criticism is a right and responsibility of human rights defenders and imposing sedition charges is a gross misuse of power. Mr Henry Tiphagne, Director of People's Watch, says "Opposition leaders like MK Stalin, Vijayakanth and Ramadoss keep criticising the chief minister and the state government. Will the police file sedition charges against them?"
The Tamil Nadu government had earned Rs 27,000 crore revenue from the sale of liquor last year. All opposition parties including the DMK and the DMDK have demanded the shutting down of liquor shops. They also promise prohibition if elected in assembly polls due next year.
However, the ruling AIADMK has turned down their demand saying the move would pave way for illicit liquor.