CHENNAI: Based on a complaint from Chettinad scion MAM Ramaswamy, the Chettinad Group managing director Muthiah and his aides Subramaniyan, Anavardan, Alagu, Lalitkumar Deolal, and 40 others were booked on charges of rioting, mischief, and criminal intimidation besides attempt to murder.
The case was a follow up of the Community Service Register receipt issued on June 8, 2015 evening by the Foreshore Estate police who have jurisdiction over Chettinad Palace, RA Puram.
The complaint pertains to the two waves of attack claimed by MAM Ramaswamy on May 23 at the palace.
In his complaint, Ramaswamy stated that his servants were injured by the goons sent by his adopted son MAMR Muthiah alias Ayyappan. He also alleged that Muthiah’s men ransacked the house and went on a rampage inside the palace. A copy of the FIR is available with Express.
The claims of assault was denied by Muthiah through his advocate who also stated that the room of Muthiah was reportedly locked.
Both MAM Ramaswamy and his adopted and disowned son Muthiah have been fighting with each other for control of the Chettinad Group.
Ramawamy had earlier lodged three plaints with police about his son Muthiah working against him. He had also accused Muthiah of transferring a majority of shares to his control and those shares belonged to Sigappi Aachi and wife of Ramaswamy.
Last year, Ramaswamy was not allowed to seek re-appointment to the post of chairman, Chettinad Cement, in the Annual General Meeting. He was offered the post of Chairman Emeritus which he refused.
A day after the case was registered, Ramaswamy addressed a press meet in which he publicly disowned his adopted son Muthiah. “He will not get a penny of the remaining assets that I still control. He is not my son and I want nothing to do with him,” said Ramaswamy, in the briefing.
He also informed that the name of Muthiah had been struck down from the temple where the adoption took place. According to Ramaswamy’s counsel, the scion of Chettinad group would move Madras High Court for annulment of adoption.
I-T begins Huge Raid on Chettinad Group
Chennai: In one of the biggest raids by the Income-Tax department, 470 income tax sleuths raided 38 premises of the Chettinad Group in the city following suspected tax evasion. “The raids have been carried out in 40 places in Tamil Nadu, 38 in Chennai and two in Coimbatore. We are also conducting raids in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra,” said the I-T source. The raids will continue for the next two to three days, the source added. “The raids are being conducted based on suspicion of tax evasion by the Chettinadu Group,” the person added. Asked if the raids were because of the bitter family feud, the official said it was just a coincidence that the raids happened around the time when the bitter family feud was intensifying. The Chettinad Group has interests in various verticals including cements, hospitality and education. “This has nothing to do with the family feud,” the I-T department source clarified.