A senior functionary of the district unit of the DMK was arrested here on Saturday on the charges of cheating a studio owner to the tune of Rs 6.5 lakh.
According to the police, K Esakkimuthu, DMK Madurai Urban District Presidium Chairman and close loyalist of the former Union Minister M K Azhagiri, was the north zone chairman of Madurai Corporation in 2010.
Esakki Muthu had taken Rs 7.5 lakh from one Soundarajan, a studio owner, promising the latter that he would get permission from the urban body to construct a shop on the Corporation land. But, Esakki Muthu failed to keep his word given to Soundarajan.
Following this, when Soundarajan insisted to return the amount, Esakki paid him Rs 1 lakh of the total Rs 7.5 lakh.
Even as three years passed, Esakki did not return the balance amount to Soundarajan. Subsequently, the studio owner lodged a complaint with the Police Commissioner Sanjya Mathur on Friday against the DMK functionary.
Acting on the complaint the Commissioner directed the K Pudhur police to conduct preliminary enquiry with Esakki Muthu. After enquiries, police booked cases under sections 406 and 420 IPC and arrested Esakki Muthu. It may be recalled that Esakki Muthu was arrested an year ago in connection with a cheating case by the City Crime branch.
He was roughed up by the Stalin supporters during a demonstration here, which led to tension within the DMK circles. However, the issue was resolved after the intervention of DMK chief M Karunanidhi.
A year ago, Esakki Muthu was also suspended from the party following the complaints against him. The suspension was however revoked by the party high command later.