Bharathi, the Panchayat President of Nariyambattu in Vellore district and a member of the ruling DMK party, has been expelled from the party following her arrest in a theft case involving stolen gold jewellery on a moving bus. The party has also revoked her authority to sign official cheques.

The incident dates back to last July when Varalakshmi, a 50-year-old resident of Nolambur in Chennai, was travelling on a government bus from Kanchipuram to Koyambedu. Upon reaching her destination, she discovered that five sovereigns of gold jewellery were missing and filed a complaint with the Koyambedu police. During the investigation, police identified Bharathi (56), who was travelling on the same bus, as the suspect. She was subsequently arrested. Further inquiries revealed that Bharathi already had 10 theft cases pending against her at various police stations.

Police also added Bharathi had been systematically targeting women passengers on buses plying between Tirupattur and Chennai for more than 15 years. She would reportedly divert the attention of women by striking up conversations with children or fellow passengers before stealing their jewellery.

Investigators revealed that Bharathi had operated on buses across Ambur, Vellore, Vaniyambadi, Hosur, Krishnagiri, and Dharmapuri. The stolen valuables were allegedly sold, and the proceeds used to build commercial complexes in her hometown.

Despite being elected as panchayat president, Bharathi admitted to police that she continued stealing because of the “pleasure” she derived from it. “Even after gaining money, fame, and facilities, I could not give up the habit of stealing. Every time I vow not to steal again, I fail when I get the opportunity,” she confessed during interrogation.

Family members had reportedly urged him to abandon theft after entering politics, but he persisted, telling police that the thrill of stealing was irresistible.

The case gained political traction after AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami brought it up during a campaign, criticising the DMK leadership for harbouring individuals with criminal records.

Responding to the growing backlash, the DMK took disciplinary action. In an official statement, DMK General Secretary Duraimurugan announced Bharathi’s permanent removal from all party roles, including her basic membership. He cited her actions as being detrimental to the party’s image and emphasized that no party member should maintain contact with her. Additionally, Bharathi has been stripped of her financial powers, including the authority to sign cheques as Panchayat President.

(With inputs from Hindu Tamil)

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The post DMK Ousts Woman Panchayat President Bharathi Who Got Caught In Serial Theft Scandal appeared first on The Commune.

BJP leader K. Annamalai has strongly criticized the DMK government and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, accusing them of fostering a lawless environment where in, ‘criminals roam freely, while those who serve and protect the nation are left to beg for justice’.

Annamalai’s remarks follow a viral video of Kalavathi, a CRPF jawan posted in Jammu and Kashmir, who tearfully pleaded for action regarding a theft at her family home in Tamil Nadu. The Jawan, visibly emotional and in uniform, claimed that gold jewellery, cash, and a silk saree meant for her wedding were stolen, and that local police have failed to take effective action.

Kalavathi’s father, Kumarasamy (65), a resident of Narayanapuram near Katpadi in Vellore district, had returned home from his farmland on 24 July 2025, to find the house broken into. He reported that around 25 sovereigns of gold and cash had been stolen. A complaint was filed at the Ponnai police station, and a case was subsequently registered.

In her video, Kalavathi alleged that although a complaint was lodged, the police were slow to respond and had yet to recover the stolen items. The delay, she said, has left her feeling helpless and abandoned. She specifically mentioned that 22 sovereigns of gold, a silk saree, and ₹50,000 in cash were missing.

The police, in response, stated that the investigation is ongoing and that fingerprint experts had examined the scene. They claimed that around 80% of the inquiry is complete, and all key suspects, including Kalavathi’s estranged husband, have been questioned.

It’s worth noting that Kalavathi had been married to a soldier named Satya from the Ponnai area, but the couple separated within six months. Following her suspicion that he might be involved in the theft, police also questioned him.

Highlighting her plight, Annamalai shared the video on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating, “A CRPF jawan from Tamil Nadu, serving with honour at our nation’s borders in J&K, is forced to take to social media on police inaction on the case of jewellery theft from her residence near Katpadi in June this year. What kind of governance forces a woman in uniform to beg for justice online while wearing the nation’s flag on her shoulder? This is not just lawlessness, it’s the DMK’s model of governance, where criminals roam free and the protectors of our nation plead for help. Wake up, Thiru @mkstalin.”

A CRPF jawan from Tamil Nadu, serving with honour at our nation’s borders in J&K, is forced to take to social media on police inaction on the case of jewellery theft from her residence near Katpadi in June this year.

What kind of governance forces a woman in uniform to beg for… pic.twitter.com/BnU6WtT99l

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) August 4, 2025

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The post Gold, Cash Stolen From CRPF Jawan’s Home In Tamil Nadu; BJP Leader Annamalai Slams DMK Govt appeared first on The Commune.

In a startling incident in Erode district, an elderly woman was robbed in broad daylight by a man and woman posing as customers. The victim, 69-year-old Arukani, had been helping her daughter Dhanalakshmi run a furniture store in Anna Nagar, located on Ingur Road, Chennimalai. Originally from Singanallur, Coimbatore, Arukani had been staying with her daughter to support her business operations.

On the morning of 28 April 2025, as part of her daily routine, Arukani arrived at the shop. A young man and woman rode up on a scooter. While the woman stayed seated outside, the man entered the shop and pretended to inquire about a bureau. Trusting him, Arukani showed him some furniture and began discussing prices. Seizing the opportunity, the man suddenly snatched the 3-sovereign gold chain from her neck and sprinted out of the store. The pair quickly fled on the waiting scooter.

Shocked, Arukani called out for help, alerting nearby residents, but the thieves had already vanished. She filed a complaint at the Chennimalai police station, prompting an immediate investigation. Police reviewed CCTV footage from the area and soon identified the female suspect.

She was recognized as 30-year-old Tamilselvi from Tyagi Kumaran Nagar near Chennimalai. To the police’s surprise, she was revealed to be the Women’s Wing Secretary of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) for Erode South District.

பீரோ வாங்குவது போல நடித்து பெண்ணிடம் நகை பறித்த விசிக பெண் நிர்வாகி கைது#erode | #vck | #theft | pic.twitter.com/ZbH5X4ewAZ

— Polimer News (@polimernews) May 1, 2025

Acting on a tip-off, police located Tamilselvi and her male accomplice at Erode Bus Stand the following morning. Both were taken into custody and interrogated at Chennimalai police station.

During questioning, it was revealed that Tamilselvi was in a relationship with 25-year-old Ramesh, a construction worker from Pudukkothukadu near Ariyappalayam, Sathyamangalam. The couple had allegedly planned and executed the theft together after observing that Arukani was alone in the store.

Further investigation uncovered that Tamilselvi and Ramesh had previously stolen a similar gold chain from another neighbor. They had mortgaged the stolen jewellery at a private finance company in Erode for ₹1.45 lakh, which was then deposited into Tamilselvi’s bank account.

Both suspects have been arrested and are expected to be produced in court and remanded to judicial custody.

(With inputs from One India Tamil)

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The post VCK Women’s Wing Secretary And Accomplice Arrested For Daylight Robbery In Erode Targeting Elderly Woman appeared first on The Commune.

In a shocking incident that has raised serious questions about the administration of temple properties, two contract employees of the Tiruttani Murugan temple were caught embezzling more than ₹1 lakh from the temple’s hundi (donation box) a few days ago. The arrested individuals are currently behind bars, but the controversy surrounding the theft continues to grow.

Devotees visiting the Thiruthani Murugan Temple often make offerings of money, gold, and silver in the temple’s collection boxes. These offerings are collected and counted by temple staff and volunteers every 30 days.

The hundi was opened for counting in the presence of HR&CE Joint Commissioner-in-charge Arunachalam, Trustee Head Trustee Sreedharan, Trustees Usharavi, Mohanan, Suresh Babu, and Nagan. Employees and volunteers from 29 sub-temples, including Thiruthani Murugan Temple, participated in the process, with the offerings of money, gold, and silver being counted separately.

During the counting, Vyjayanthi, 44, from Nagapoondi, a contract employee for 13 years, and Thenmozhi, 35, from Veeramangalam, were caught on surveillance cameras stealing money. They were seen hiding ₹1,15,790 in their sarees.

The temple officials promptly confiscated the stolen money. The Joint Commissioner of the temple filed a complaint at the Thiruthani police station. Police have registered a case and are currently investigating the incident.

State President Kadeswara Subramaniam of the Hindu Munnani has issued a scathing statement, attributing the audacity of the crime to what he describes as the DMK government’s anti-Hindu stance.

Condemning the incident, the Hindu Munnani issued a statement saying, “Two days ago, employees at the Tiruthani Murugan temple who were responsible for counting the hundi money were caught embezzling lakhs of rupees and are now in jail. The public believes this boldness stems from the DMK government’s anti-Hindu stance. While the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister boasts about reclaiming temple properties and lands, employees from his department are looting temple assets and stealing hundi money. The government, seemingly unwilling to protect temple property, should hand over temple management to devout spiritual devotees and religious elders.”

The statement by Hindu Munnani head Kadeswara Subramanian also added, “A proper procedure for counting the hundi money should be established, with advance notice of hundi openings displayed on a notice board. Actions taken after theft, without proper preparation, appear complicit in the crime. Legal action should be taken against those involved in irregularities and theft, and authorities should not cover it up.”

He urged that the police should monitor whether officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department are involved in the theft of hundi offerings.

On behalf of the Hindu Munnani, he requested the Tamil Nadu government to implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future and to respect the donations made by devotees with devotion.

உண்டியல் பணம் திருட்டு-பக்தர்களின் காணிக்கையை, ஆலயங்களை காப்பதில் திமுக அரசு அலட்சியம்-ஆலய சொத்துக்களை கொள்ளையடிக்கும் இந்து சமய அறநிலையத்துறை ஊழியர்கள் – மாநிலத் தலைவர் காடேஸ்வரா சுப்பிரமணியம் அறிக்கை#HRCE#அறநிலையத்துறை#கோவில்#உண்டியல்#இந்துமுன்னணிhttps://t.co/H6WeqvXXBR

— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) July 4, 2024

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The post Thiruthani Temple Hundi Money Theft: DMK Govt’s Negligence In Protecting Temples, Says Hindu Munnani appeared first on The Commune.

In a shocking incident, Salim, the manager of Hotel Everest Central, has revealed the apathy and negligence of the Periyamedu police in handling a theft case. On 1 May 2024, around 4 am, an unidentified person entered the hotel and stole Salim’s iPhone 15 along with several other mobile phones used for hotel communication.

Salim acted swiftly. By 5 am, he had reviewed the CCTV footage, identifying the perpetrator. He immediately reported the incident to the Periyamedu police station, providing them with the crucial footage and requested their immediate assistance. However, they asked him to return at 10 am.

“When I visited the police station at 10 am, I was informed that due to an IPL match, no one would be available to assist me,” Salim stated. “Despite submitting a written complaint the next day, there was no response for two days.“, he added.

Frustrated by the lack of action, Salim took the matter to the Commissioner’s office. Under pressure from the Commissioner’s office, the police contacted him. “They insisted that I rewrite the complaint according to their version, which falsely claimed that I had misplaced the mobile phone in the hotel, and it disappeared by the next morning. Despite their threats to implicate me as one of the accused if I didn’t comply, I refused and returned.” Salim revealed.

Salim continued his own investigation. He identified the thief through the CCTV footage and convinced him to stay at the hotel, subsequently handing him over to the police. However, even then, the police failed to act promptly.

“They asked me to come back the next day to retrieve my stolen phone, claiming there was no one available at the station,” Salim explained.

With the intervention of the Commissioner’s office, the police finally initiated a search for the stolen phone. The device was tracked to a local phone shop where it had been sold by the thief. Despite this evidence, the police instructed Salim to release the thief after obtaining his contact details.

Furthermore, the auto driver who assisted Salim in apprehending the thief was also threatened by the police.

“The police instructed me to release the accused after obtaining his address and contact number. Additionally, they threatened the auto driver who had assisted me.” said Salim.

“ 1.5 லட்சம் ரூபாய் செல்போனை திருடி 500 ரூபாய்க்கு வித்துட்டாரு சார்.. ” தனியார் ஓட்டலில் அத்து மீறி நுழைந்து செல்போனை திருடிய சாலையோரம் படுத்திருந்த நபர்.. IPL நடக்குது அது இதுனு காரணம் சொல்லி போலீசார் எந்த நடவடிக்கையும் எடுக்கல.. 15 நாட்களாக பல இடங்களில் நானே தேடி அந்த நபரை… pic.twitter.com/8vg9ehYRAK

— Polimer News (@polimernews) May 15, 2024

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The post Dravidian Model: Police Cite IPL Match For Inaction On Hotel Mobile Theft; Manager Apprehends Thief, Yet Police Refuse Action appeared first on The Commune.

The incident in which a Khalasa belonging to a Hindu temple near Ilampillai in Salem district was looted by miscreants has caused a great stir in the area.

A Mariamman temple under the control of the Hindu Religious Charitable and Endowments Department (HR&CE) is located in the Chandapettai area near Ilampillai in Salem district. The temple, which is 30 years old, is one of the most well-known in the neighbourhood. Miscreants have looted two of the three Khalasa at the top of the temple tower. The residents of the area have lodged a complaint with the police department seeking action on those who have stolen the Khalasa.

Following a public complaint, Police have registered a case and are looking for the culprits who stole the temple Khalasa. The theft of a Khalasa from the 30-year-old Mariamman temple has caused a stir in the area. Locals have also demanded that the Khalasa stolen from the temple be recovered immediately by the police and that CCTV cameras be installed in all temples to prevent such thefts from happening again.

(with inputs from KathirNews)

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The post Miscreants steal Khalasam of Mariamman temple under HR&CE control in Salem appeared first on The Commune.

The theft of electricity from a public power source by DMK cadres for electric lights set to welcome Udayanidhi at Virudhachalam has sparked outrage.

On behalf of the DMK cadres, lights were erected in the Virudhachalam area to welcome Udayanidhi, who was traveling from Chennai to Cuddalore district through Virudhachalam. The video of DMK cadres stealing electricity from public electric poles to power high-intensity welcome lights went viral on social media.

At a time, when people are experiencing power outages across Tamil Nadu, the DMK’s reckless stealing of electricity to welcome Udayanidhi has sparked public outrage.

Social activists and local residents also lament that the DMK’s power theft activities have gone unnoticed by electricity board employees.

(with inputs from NewsJ)

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