The Saidapet Court in Chennai on Friday refused to remand May 17 Movement leader Thirumurugan Gandhi in judicial custody. The Court, however, allowed the police to question him and submit a report within 24 hours.

The activist was apprehended at Bengaluru International airport in the wee hours of Thursday under several charges including sedition. Thirumurugan had recently spoken about the Thoothukudi firings at the UN Council sessions and was returning home from Europe after attending the 38th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which concluded on July 7, in Geneva.

Thirumurugan has been actively campaigning against a lot of issues including the 8-lane Chennai Salem Green Corridor project, Sri Lankan genocide and Thoothukudi firings. The police however wish to question him for 'imflammatory speech' and funding.

His arrest was condemned by leaders like Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) TTV Dinakaran and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) Vaiko on social media.

This, however, is not the first time Thirumurugan is being detained for speaking against the Government. In September last year, Thirumurugan Gandhi, was detained under the Goondas Act for attempting to stage a protest at the Marina Beach in memory of Tamils who were killed in Sri Lanka.

There have been similar arrests this year.n On June18, activist and environmentalist Piyush Manush was arrested by the Salem police, a day after actor Mansoor Ali Khan was detained.

Piyush was active against the expansion of the Salem airport as well as the proposed eight-lane Chennai-Salem expressway. Five days after his arrest, he was granted bail. Piyush Manush was earlier arrested in July 2016 for trying to stop work on a bridge at Muluvadi gate in Salem. He was detained under non-bailable sections for many days.