1. Charred skeletal remains of four persons found in car

Four members of a Chennai-based family, including two children, were found charred inside a car on the Thisaiyanvilai–Aaththankarai Pallivaasal Road in Tirunelveli district this morning.

The deceased were identified as Mohammed Rabi (43), his wife Syed Nazreen Fatima (38), and their children aged 15 and 13, all residents of Periyar Nagar, Nandambakkam in Chennai.

Investigators suspect that the family, reportedly under financial distress, may have died by suicide. However, they are also probing the possibility of an accidental fire.

2. Rajinikanth debunks Aadhav Arjuna’s claim on the actor refraining from politics

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth debunked the claims of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) general secretary (election campaign management) Aadhav Arjuna, who recently stated that the actor refrained from entering politics due to a threat from the DMK. “Time won’t speak, but it waits and gives its answer,” Mr. Rajinikanth said.

3. C.Ve. Shanmugam stokes controversy over derogatory reference to female actor

AIADMK Rajya Sabha Member C.Ve. Shanmugam stoked a controversy after he made a derogatory reference to a female actor during a protest organised by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Villupuram.

Mr. Shanmugam made the comment at the protest while criticising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s ‘Unga Kanava Sollunga’ scheme.

4. T.N. Assembly election: Observers across State posted; utensils with TVK stickers seized

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has deputed 136 general observers, 40 police observers and 151 expenditure observers in Tamil Nadu. They would be stationed in their respective Assembly constituencies by March 18.

The flying squad officials in Namakkal district seized 111 utensils (worth ₹31,160) with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) stickers on them. The officials later lodged a complaint with the Tiruchengode Rural police against TVK youth wing secretary Madeswaran based on which the police registered a case.

5. Gokulraj murder case convict files plea to reopen DSP Vishnupriya’s death case

S. Yuvaraj, founder of Dheeran Chinnamalai Gounder Peravai and a convict in murder of Scheduled Caste youth Gokulraj, has filed a petition in the Namakkal court praying to reopen DSP Vishnupriya’s death case.

R. Vishnupriya, a native of Cuddalore district, had died by suicide while serving as DSP at Tiruchengode in Namakkal district on September 18, 2015. She was the investigation officer probing the murder of Gokulraj for being in love with a caste Hindu girl. Later, the DSP death case was inquired by CBI and it confirmed it to be a case of suicide. Following this, the case was closed.