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Former DMK youth wing office-bearer R. Deivachayal (also known as R. Deivasayal), 37, and his wife D. Kanimozhi, 35, have petitioned the Madras High Court for anticipatory release in relation to a sexual harassment case that has been brought against them.

A 20-year-old Arakkonam college student’s allegation led to the case’s registration.

Justice N. Senthilkumar is set to hear the bail plea on Wednesday.

The girl, who was attending a college in Arakkonam for her graduate studies, complained that she was a married lady going through divorce processes.

She said that Deivachayal started following her and forced her into marriage even though he knew she was still legally separated. The complainant claims that the accused threatened her and promised to use his political contacts to influence her divorce proceedings, forcing her to marry him on January 31.

She said that she subsequently found out he was previously married and that Kanimozhi, his first wife, had assisted him in his illegal actions.

Additionally, the complainant accused Deivachayal of abusing her physically and taking advantage of women in precarious situations.

The Arakkonam All Women Police filed a complaint against the couple in accordance with Section 296(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in light of these claims: In public, requesting sexual favors; polygamy; Section 82(2); and criminal intimidation (Section 351).

The pair claimed in their appeal that the allegation was politically motivated and started by Deivachayal’s opponents, and they disputed all of the claims. They also questioned the reason for the delay in making the complaint, pointing out that the FIR was finally submitted on May 10, more than three months after the complainant claimed the marriage occurred on January 31.

In order to get anticipatory bail, the petitioners insisted that they are prepared to abide by whatever requirements the court may set.

The matter has garnered a lot of public interest, particularly in light of Deivachayal’s recent DMK dismissal.

Chief Minister Stalin has been under fire from opposition leader and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who demanded that the culprits be arrested right once. On this topic, the AIADMK is also holding a significant protest march.