S. Raja (35), AIADMK councillor and opposition leader in the Thoothukudi Corporation
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Entrustment Document Fraud Wing of Central Crime Branch arrested S. Raja, AIADMK councillor and son of former AIADMK Minister at Chennai airport for allegedly cheating his sister to the tune of ₹17 crore, when he attempted to flee the country.

A. Ponnarasi, who is the daughter of former AIADMK Minister S.P. Shanmuganathan and a resident of Iyyappanthangal in Chennai, lodged a police complaint against her younger brother S. Raja (35). Mr. Raja is an AIADMK councillor and opposition leader in the Thoothukudi Corporation.

According to the police, Mr. Raja and his wife Anusha coerced Ponnarasi into investing in their company, Ommeena Pharma Distributors Pvt. Ltd., with a promise to allot 16% shares in the company. He then availed a loan of ₹11 crore by mortgaging his sister’s property in Nandambakkam. Further, Mr. Raja transferred a portion of the amount to another firm named Ashun Exim, without the knowledge of Ponnarasi.

Besides, Raja obtained 300 sovereigns of gold from her after promising to give a share in his proposed stone quarry business in Thoothukudi, ‘Golden Blue Metals Pvt. Ltd.’ and pledged the same in his name to raise funds. Using the money, he purchased around 40 acres of land in Thoothukudi in his name.

However, Raja and his wife Anusha neither allotted share nor paid profit. But, they both reportedly forged Poonarasi’s signatures and transferred the shares of Golden Blue Metals Pvt. Ltd. to Raja’s name. They also fabricated a resignation letter in her name, uploaded it to the online portal of Registrar of Companies (ROC), removed her from the position of Director, appointed Anusha in her place, Ponnarasi said in her complaint mentioning that she was cheated to the tune of ₹17 crore.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered in the Central Crime Branch, Chennai. A Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued by the police against the accused Mr. Raja who went absconding and was suspected of attempting to fly abroad at any time.

On June 10, when he tried to fly to Malaysia was intercepted at Chennai International Airport and was arrested by a special team led by Gayathri, Assistant Commissioner of Police, CCB. He was remanded in judicial custody.