An internal squabble in the family of AIADMK MLA V C Arukutty spilled into the open on Monday when his elder brother levelled charges of grabbing their ancestral property and cheating against him.
According to the complaint, submitted by Arukutty's elder brother V C Velusamy to the district administration, the MLA took possession of the 38 cents of land worth 2 crore in Kalapatti, selling it discreetly, without the knowledge of six other legitimate heirs. "We couldn't meet the police commissioner. We will lodge a police complaint on Tuesday,'' said Velusamy. Arukutty was not reachable for comments, but sources close to him denied the allegations and said they were levelled with an ulterior motive.
Velusamy said that their grandfather had owned a 2.26 acre property in Kalapatti. "Way back in 1988, 1.74 acres was sold, while the remaining was with the family. Even at that time, there were attempts to sell off the land without our knowledge. But eight months ago, the land was sold to one Ravi by Arukutty without our approval,'' Velusamy said.
He said that the sale of land came to their knowledge only two months ago. Initially, they approached Arukutty seeking an explanation when he offered to give them a share of money received from the sales. "But later he refused even that. He started ignoring us whenever we raised the issue,'' Velusamy said.
According to the complaint, Ravi, who had purchased the land, was also complicit in the transaction. The complainant sought the intervention of the district administration to retrieve the land from him. The district administration officials said they would forward it to the police even as the family members have planned to meet the police commissioner. Police said that they would decide on the legal course of action after going through the complaint.
Sources close to Arukutty brushed aside the allegations raising doubt about the timing of the complaint. "This is an attempt to tarnish the image of Arukutty when elections are around the corner,'' said an associate.
According to the complaint, submitted by Arukutty's elder brother V C Velusamy to the district administration, the MLA took possession of the 38 cents of land worth 2 crore in Kalapatti, selling it discreetly, without the knowledge of six other legitimate heirs. "We couldn't meet the police commissioner. We will lodge a police complaint on Tuesday,'' said Velusamy. Arukutty was not reachable for comments, but sources close to him denied the allegations and said they were levelled with an ulterior motive.
Velusamy said that their grandfather had owned a 2.26 acre property in Kalapatti. "Way back in 1988, 1.74 acres was sold, while the remaining was with the family. Even at that time, there were attempts to sell off the land without our knowledge. But eight months ago, the land was sold to one Ravi by Arukutty without our approval,'' Velusamy said.
He said that the sale of land came to their knowledge only two months ago. Initially, they approached Arukutty seeking an explanation when he offered to give them a share of money received from the sales. "But later he refused even that. He started ignoring us whenever we raised the issue,'' Velusamy said.
According to the complaint, Ravi, who had purchased the land, was also complicit in the transaction. The complainant sought the intervention of the district administration to retrieve the land from him. The district administration officials said they would forward it to the police even as the family members have planned to meet the police commissioner. Police said that they would decide on the legal course of action after going through the complaint.
Sources close to Arukutty brushed aside the allegations raising doubt about the timing of the complaint. "This is an attempt to tarnish the image of Arukutty when elections are around the corner,'' said an associate.