News Special Reports Tamil Nadu

From A Man Who Didn’t Even Complete Schooling To Becoming An ‘Educationist’: The Rise Of Jagathrakshakan

October 9, 2023
The Commune

Engineering colleges, medical colleges, hospitals, universities, breweries, hotels, marriage halls, mining, cements, you name a business, this man has his venture thriving in each of the business. This one man from the DMK is probably one of the richest man in India and is one of the important financers for the DMK. The name is Jagathrakshakan. 

 Jagathrakshakan is in the news lately owing to the IT raids occuring at his home and offices and it is not new for him. In fact, this time when the sleuths came, he had served them with tender coconut water.

So who is this DMK member that the authorities are investigating?

Jagathrakshakan’s name is synonymous with both political influence and business prowess; he has captured the imagination of many with his meteoric rise. Hailing from the small village of Kalingamalai in Vizhupuram district, Jagathrakshakan’s journey is a tale of determination, strategic alliances, and extraordinary achievements.

Jagathrakshakan’s early years were marked by a penchant for business rather than a strong academic inclination, he completed his education only until the 10th grade. He aspired to wield political power from a young age, setting his sights on a future in politics. He showed poor interest in studies and was keen on establishing a business early on in life.

The Turning Point: Friendship With MGR

It was his friendship with the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) that catalysed Jagathrakshakan’s journey into the world of business and politics. This association proved transformative as he began to shine both in business and political circles. In 1980, a significant opportunity came his way when he contested in the Uthiramerur constituency MLA election, thanks to MGR’s support. Until then he was a Class-D employee with the TNEB. Once elected as an MLA, Jagathrakshakan nurtured aspirations to become a Member of Parliament (MP). He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1984 from Chengalpattu constituency and he served as the leader of ADMK parliamentary Party. This was also the time he established the Bharath Institute of Science and Technology. 

A Shift In Allegiance

Following the demise of MGR, he chose not to continue his political journey with J. Jayalalithaa and instead joined R.M. Veerappan to form a new party. Jagathrakshakan founded the Veera Vanniyar Peravai and the Jananayaka Munnetra Kazhagam (JMK Party).

Intriguingly, his path led him to a close association with DMK’s stalwart, M. Karunanidhi. Jagathrakshakan’s remarkable oratory skills, intellectual acumen, and affinity for the Tamil language impressed Karunanidhi, earning him the title “Alwar.” This connection eventually led to Jagathrakshakan’s victory in the 2009 parliamentary elections, representing the Arakkonam constituency under the DMK banner.

Building An Empire

Even before his political successes, Jagathrakshakan had embarked on an extraordinary journey in the business world. His portfolio included a multitude of institutions and factories, ranging from colleges, hospitals, and liquor factories to coal plants and electricity generation. This expansion extended beyond Indian borders, solidifying his status as a prominent businessman. He served as Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and later as Minister of Commerce. 

 In 2014, he faced electoral defeat, but in 2019, he made a triumphant return as an MP. His declared assets in 2019 were estimated at 115 crores, but startling reports now suggest his net worth exceeds a staggering 50,000 crores. Income tax raids are currently underway, examining his extensive empire with branches spanning multiple countries.

Jagathrakshakan’s vast portfolio includes over 50 educational institutions including Bharath University, Jagath University, Bharath Medical College, Balaji Medical College, Tagore Medical College, and numerous others, over 6 star hotels such as Accord Hotel and Kaldan Samudhra – a Rajasthan-themed luxury hotel in ECR, coal mines, power generation stations, distilleries such as Elite Distilleries, Fortune Distilleries, and AM Breweries, and a myriad of other businesses. Three of these medical colleges constituted 950 medical seats. All these educational institutions allow him a chance to connect with politicians, industrialists, and people in power. Here is a list of some of the properties and businesses he and his family own:

Universities

  1. Bharath University – built on an area spanning 350 acres in Chennai
  2. Jagath University – Dehradun

Medical Colleges

  1. Bharath Medical College and Hospital (BMCH), Chennai
  2. Sree Balaji College of Nursing, Chennai
  3. Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH), Chennai
  4. Sree Balaji College of Physiotherapy
  5. Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences (SLIMS), Puducherry
  6. Tagore Medical College, Chennai
  7. Bharat Dental College, Chennai
  8. Tagore Dental College, Chennai

Engineering Colleges

  1. Bharath Institute of Science and Technology,Chennai
  2. Balaji Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chennai
  3. Tagore Engineering College, Chennai
  4. Jerusalem Engineering College, Chennai
  5. Lakshmi Ammal Engineering College, Chennai
  6. Sri Ramanujar Engineering College, Chennai
  7. Bharath Institute of Law, Chennai
  8. Bharath Agriculture College, Chennai
  9. Bharath School of Architecture, Chennai
  10. Bharath School of Arts and Science, Chennai
  11. Tagore College Of Arts And Science, Chennai
  12. Balaji Women’s Arts and Science College, Chennai
  13. Bharath Institute of Management, Chennai
  14. Bharath Polytechnic College, Chennai
  15. Sri Balaji Polytechnic College, Chennai
  16. Lakshmi Ammal Polytechnic College, Chennai
  17. Bharath Institute of Catering Technology & Hotel Management, Chennai
  18. Sree Balaji College Of Hotel Management & Catering, Chennai
  19. Bharath College of Nursing, Chennai
  20. Sree Balaji College of Nursing, Chennai
  21. Tagore Nursing College, Chennai
  22. Bharath School of Physiotherapy, Chennai
  23. Sree Balaji College of Physiotherapy, Chennai
  24. Tagore College of Physiotherapy
  25. Balaji College of Pharmacy, Chennai
  26. Tagore College Of Pharmacy, Chennai
  27. Bharath Institute of Education
  28. Balaji College of Education, Chennai
  29. Balaji Teacher Training Institute
  30. Kilton Teacher Training Institute, Chennai
  31. Lakshmi Ammal Memorial Matriculation HSS, Chennai
  32. Kilton Matriculation HSS, Chennai
  33. Bharath Vidyaashram, Chennai (CBSE)
  34. Bharath Vidyaashram, Puduchery (CBSE)
  35. Madras Vocational Training Institute, Chennai
  36. Tagore Institute of Allied Health Sciences
  37. Bharath College of Allied Health Sciences

Five-Star Hotels

  1. The Accord Metropolitan, Chennai
  2. The Accord Metropolitan Ltd, Puducherry
  3. Accord Highlands, Ooty
  4. J Hotels Pvt Ltd, Chennai
  5. J Hotels Pvt Ltd, Puducherry
  6. JAM Hotels & Resorts, Bengaluru
  7. Kalden Samudra – Resort in ECR

Breweries/Distilleries

  1. Elite Distilleries, Chennai
  2. AM Breweries, Chennai
  3. Fortune Distilleries, Goa

Coal Companies

  1. JR Coal Mines, Madhya Pradesh
  2. JR Coal Mines, Odisha

Power Generation Companies

  1. JR Power Gen Pvt Ltd, Madhya Pradesh
  2. JR Power Gen Pvt Ltd, Odisha
  3. Accord Energy Corporation India Pvt Ltd
  4. KSK Companies – Mines & Electricity

Investments Abroad

  1. Oil company worth 23000 crores in Sri Lanka
  2. Silver Park International Pvt Ltd, an investment vehicle owned by Accord Group
  3. Dr Rela Institute & Medical Centre, Chennai
  4. JS Hospital

Factories near Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram

  1. Chromeleather.com Ltd
  2. Jagath Enterprises Limited
  3. Accord Life Spec Private Limited
  4. Accord Mineral Water
  5. Accord Agro Spirits
  6. Accord Platinum Tyres
  7. Accord Manpower and Securities India Pvt Ltd
  8. Ramify Solutions Pvt Ltd
  9. JR Cold Kingdom Pvt Ltd

Wedding Halls

  1. Samikannu Gounder Lakshmi Ammal Thirumana Maaligai Villupuram

It is alleged that in Chrompet area of Chennai, 100 acres of land where a company named Chrome used to function is said to have been bought by Jagathrakshakan and that is where most of the colleges have been built. He is also said to own 56 houses/properties in Chennai.

Allegations Of Misuse Of Authority

Reports suggest that Jagathrakshakan may have misused his authority during his tenure as an MLA, MP, and minister. His influence reportedly extends to the supply of liquor to TASMAC, with 85-90% of the liquor supplied coming from his distilleries irrespective of whether the DMK or AIADMK is in power. His empire also encompasses hospitals such as Anusha Hospital, Shri Royal Blue Hospital, Jagath Super Speciality Hospital, and JR Super Speciality Hospital, pharmaceutical manufacturing firms for cancer drugs, cement factories, a sugar mill, and even a rumoured (in the works) private airline venture.

Jagathrakshakan’s dream reportedly includes aspirations of becoming the Chief Minister of Puducherry. It has been reported that he neither owns nor uses a cell phone. Those wishing to contact him must rely on his home landline or his assistant’s number.

As the income tax raids continue and investigations unfold, Jagathrakshakan’s legacy which is said to have grown owing to his misuse of authority and power, now faces scrutiny and potential legal challenges. 

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