The Madras High Court on Tuesday (August 4, 2026) agreed to hear on the same day an urgent anticipatory bail petition to be moved by the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Udhayanidhi Stalin in a case booked against him for his objectionable remark during his public speech in Thanjavur on Monday (August 3, 2026). He told Mr. Jinnah the court would take up the anticipatory bail plea even before lunch if the petition gets filed and numbered by then. Mr. Udhayanidhi had led a demonstration in Thanjavur on Monday (August 4) against the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led State government’s handling of the Cauvery issue. This had led to a complaint lodged against him before the police as well as the National Commission for Women. Since there was a threat of his arrest just a day before the commencement of the budget session of the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (August 5, 2026), a mention was made before the High Court for an urgent hearing of his anticipatory bail plea.