The Madras High Court today restrained the police from arresting AIADMK rebel leader TTV Dhinakaran in connection with a defamation case filed against him by a party MP, who is supporting Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

In an interim order, Justice S S Sundar of Madurai bench also barred the police from arresting actor and AIADMK functionary Senthil, cited as a co-accused in the case, and posted the matter to October 4 for further hearing.

He passed the interim order on a petition by Senthil who sought quashing of the FIR, registered recently on the basis of a complaint by Tiruchirappallai Lok Sabha member P Kumar, alleging political motive.