TN ex-minister held over rape charges

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Police arrested former minister Dr M. Manikandan from Karnataka capital Bengaluru in the wee hours of the day, officials announced on Sunday.

The arrest has been made on rape charges, based on a complaint filed by actor Chandini.

Manikandan, 44, who was information and technology minister in the Anna DMK government led by J. Jayalalithaa and later Edappadi Palaniswamy, had gone into hiding ater the actor filed a complaint against him at the Adyar All-women’s Police Station.

The Madras High Court had turned down his plea for anticipatory bail, saying that the charges against him were grave and he could tamper with evidence given the powerful position he held in the past.

A special police team was tasked with tracking down the ADMK leader.

A case registered against Manikandan at the Adyar police station charged him over allegations of rape, causing miscarriage without woman’s consent, cheating, criminal intimidation etc.

The Malaysia-born actor, who earned fame with a lead role in the hit film “Nomads,” has alleged that she had a live-in relationship with the politician for about five years.

Chandini worked with the Malaysian Tourism Development Corporation in 2017 and met Manikandan when she came to Chennai.

She claims he promised to marry her, and had allegedly made her pregnant thrice, but forced her to abort every time.

She also alleged that Parani, an accomplice of Manikandan’s, played a role in her assault and death threats.

Chandini shared documents, chats and pictures with the media claiming that they were the proof of her five-year-long relationship with the politician.

Things reached a crisis point when Manikandan threatened the family of the actor when they demanded that he marry her.

Police say Manikandan, a surgeon with a Masters, was already married to another woman when he befriended Shaniti, showing interest in investing in Malaysia. Manikandan was elected from the Ramanathapuram constituency and held office between 2016 and 2019.

Tamil Nadu’s 38 districts will be divided into three categories to provide concessions as the government extends a state-wide lockdown by another week to June 28, officials said on Sunday.

The categories have been worked out on the basis of the Covid caseload.