Four persons, including actress Gautami’s family friend Alagappan, 66, were arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged fraud involving the sale of land belonging to the actress and valued at around Rs.26 crore.
Gautami had lodged a complaint with the Chennai police in 2023, alleging that Alagappan, a family friend from Kottaiyur in Sivaganga district, had obtained a power of attorney to sell her land in Kancheepuram district.
According to the complaint, Gautami had decided to sell the property to meet her cancer treatment expenses and her daughter’s future education needs. She alleged that Alagappan told her that the property could be sold for only Rs.6 crore and had allegedly misappropriated the money. She also alleged that his wife, son and daughter-in-law were involved in the alleged fraud.
The Central Crime Branch of the Chennai police registered a case and arrested Alagappan, his wife Nachal, son Siva and daughter-in-law Aarthi, who were later granted bail.
The Enforcement Directorate subsequently registered a case to investigate alleged illegal money transactions linked to the property fraud. On August 17, ED officials conducted searches at six locations belonging to Alagappan and seized documents and details relating to financial transactions.
The ED also issued a summons to Gautami seeking clarification regarding the documents and financial transactions. She appeared before the ED officials in Chennai and provided her explanation.Subsequently, Alagappan, Nachal, Siva and Aarthi were arrested by the ED. Aarthi was granted bail by the court as she was with her infant child. The other three were remanded in Puzhal Central Prison.
