Police in Madurai have arrested the former aide of Minister P. Thiagarajan and his wife for allegedly cheating a construction company owner of several crores by misusing the names of the minister and former Mayor Indirani’s husband Pon Vasanth.
The accused was identified as S.M. Balaji, 42, a real estate operator from Kalaignar Nagar, Madurai, who had served as an assistant to Minister Thiagarajan until about a year ago. His wife Kalavathi, 42, was also arrested in connection with the case.
According to police and the complaint, in 2024 Balaji approached a prominent builder in Ponmeni, Madurai, who was constructing and selling houses, seeking to purchase two plots. When the builder informed him that each plot along with a house would cost ₹3.50 crore, Balaji stated that he did not require a house and wanted only vacant plots.
When the builder refused to sell land without the house package, Balaji allegedly invoked his political links and warned that he was Minister Thiagarajan’s aide and that former Mayor Indirani’s husband Pon Vasanth was “known to him.” He reportedly claimed that it was his responsibility to secure all corporation permits without difficulty and spoke in a threatening manner.
Fearing business repercussions, the builder agreed to sell only the plots. Balaji then registered the two plots in his wife’s name by paying only the document registration charges amounting to approximately ₹77 lakh. However, he failed to pay the actual land cost.
Despite repeated demands, Balaji allegedly delayed payment, stating that he would secure corporation approvals without expenses instead of paying the due amount.
The matter escalated after Pon Vasanth was arrested in a separate municipal tax irregularities case. Realising the situation, the builder lodged a complaint with Madurai Police Commissioner Loganathan.
Based on the complaint, the Central Crime Branch registered a case and arrested Balaji and Kalavathi.
Police stated that Balaji had also cheated several members of the public of crores of rupees by advertising real estate schemes in which buyers could acquire plots by paying monthly instalments over three years. When victims demanded refunds, he allegedly threatened them using the minister’s name.
Police further said that Minister Thiagarajan had removed Balaji from his aide position about a year ago after learning of these activities. Investigators also noted that a similar land and financial fraud case had been registered against Balaji in 2019 by the Vellore Economic Offences Wing.
Further investigation is under way.
Source: Dinamalar
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