Madras High Court refuses anticipatory bail to accused in property fraud complaint by actress Gautami

The Madras High Court recently rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by film producer C Alagappan and his family members, all of whom are accused in the property fraud case filed by actor and former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Gautami Tadimalla..In an order passed on December 18, Justice CV Karthikeyan refused to grant anticipatory bail to Alagappan, his wife AL Nachal, his sons-in-law Siva and Baskar, his daughter Arthi and his driver Satish Kumar, after noting that there existed enough evidence to prima facie suspect they had cheated Gautami..“Intention to cheat had been nurtured from embryo and put to devastating effect on a damsel, already in distress, afflicted with a debilitating disease, who just wanted to provide security for her young daughter. The facts reveal not only cheating but also misappropriation and siphoning of funds for the personal gain of the accused persons in both the cases registered by the two separate Investigating Agencies,” the Court said..Alagappan approached the High Court in November this year seeking anticipatory bail in the cheating case registered by the Tamil Nadu police following Gautami’s complaint..On September 7 this year, Gautami registered a complaint with the State police claiming that Alagappan had cheated her in a property deal made almost 20 years ago.As per Gautami's complaint, in 2004 she had decided to sell 46 acres of land that she owned. Alagappan approached her claiming to be a builder and property agent. She gave him the power of attorney for the sale of such land. Over the years, Alagappan and his wife dealt with sale and acquisition of other assets belonging to Gautami.However, Gautami claimed that she realised only recently that during such dealings, Alagappan, his wife and their family members misappropriated over ₹25 crores..Following the complaint, the police booked Alagappan and twelve others. Of these, six persons have been arrested. Alagappan, however, is yet to be arrested.Gautami also claimed that she and her daughter had been receiving death threats from unknown persons following her complaint to the police.On October 23, Gautami resigned from the BJP claiming that the party and its members had failed to help her at the time of need and that some party members had been aiding Alagappan..Advocates Renjith Marar and G Sriram appeared for C Alagappan and others accused in the case.Senior Counsel John Sathyan and advocate S Namasivayan appeared for Gautami, an intervenor in the case.Government Advocate R Vinothraja appeared for the respondent State government..[Read Order]