Two staff of a nationalised bank in Thondamuthur were arrested today on charges of speaking ill and spreading rumours about the health condition of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

The arrest was made following a complaint by Punitha Devi, an AIADMK worker and a candidate for the local body elections, police said.

Punitha had gone to the bank on October 7, when two staff—gold appraiser Suresh and clerk Ramesh—asked about the health condition of Jayalalithaa and reportedly made some derogatory comments. Punitha left the bank in a huff and informed her party colleagues about the incident, police said.

A few AIADMK workers, along with Punitha returned to the bank yesterday, which was closed for five days, and sought an explanation from the staff, leading to arguments, they said.

Punitha lodged a complaint with Thondamuthur police, who registered cases under IPC sections 505(1) B (intent to cause fear or alarm), 506(1) (threat and intimidation) and 294b (uttering obscene or objectionable words).

Suresh and Ramesh were arrested and have been remanded to custody.