A no-holds-barred vitriolic attack by MLA and comedian Karunas led to the Chennai city police booking a criminal case against him for issuing a death threat to the Chief Minister and a police officer.

Mr. Karunas, who contested on the ‘two leaves’ symbol of the AIADMK, was elected as an MLA from the Thiruvadanai constituency. He is also the founder of Mukkulathor Puli Padai, a caste outfit.

While addressing his party cadre in Valluvarkottam on Monday, he said: “You can even commit murder. But do so after informing me. There should be justification for that [the murder]...” He also advised the cadre to openly disclose their identities if they were to hurl stones at the opponents.

Referring to an alleged intelligence input, Mr. Karunas said: “While I was waiting to pay my respects to the Chief Minister, over 100 police personnel were deployed in my pandal. When I asked them what is the need [for such security], they said the Chief Minister is afraid that I was going to block him and beat him. I am not lying. You can check with the Chief Minister by calling him. That’s true.”

He also claimed that the government headed by Edappadi K. Palaniswami could not have been formed without his presence at the Koovathur beach resort. “I only showed them the Koovathur resort [where the MLAs owing allegiance to Sasikala stayed], saying that it will be difficult to escape from the place as it is surrounded by water. Can anyone deny this?”

Claiming that two or police officers were roaming with coolers after seeing movies like Samy and Singam, Mr. Karunas said senior officers should remind them that they were public servants. “They [the officers] should not roam like rowdies or zamindars,” he added.

The MLA also personally attacked Deputy Commissioner of Police, T. Nagar P. Aravindan for his recent action.

Following Mr. Karuna’s speech, the Hindu Makkal Katchi, the Tamil Nadar Sangam and a few other outfits made representations to the City Police Commissioner A.K. Viswanathan seeking criminal action against the actor.

Following instructions from Mr. Viswanathan, the Nungambakkam Police registered a case under various sections of the IPC and the Madras City Police Act against Mr. Karunas.