TR Pachamuthu (also known as Paarivendhar), owner of SRM University, a leading private university in the country, finds himself in a controversy following the disappearance of his close associate S Madhan, since May 28.
Sindhu, second wife of Madhan, filed a complaint with the Anna Nagar Police Station in the city on Thursday stating that she has some suspicions about the reasons behind the disappearance of Madhan. This comes closely behind the case filed by Sumalatha, his first wife, at the Virugambakkaam Police Station in the city expressing her fears about the disappearance of Madhan.
Madhan, in his late 30s, is the managing director of Vendhar Movies, one of the business enterprises owned by Pachamuthu. In addition to his business enterprises, Pachamuthu is also the founder president of Indian Jananayaga Katchi, a political outfit which is a constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in Tamil Nadu. A letter reportedly written by Madhan to his close associates said that he was on his way to Kashi seeking salvation from the mundane life.
Adding suspense and spice to the disappearance of Madhan, three persons including two students, filed complaints with the City Police Commissioner on Thursday alleging that Madhan had collected Rs 200 crore from many students and their parents assuring them of admissions in various colleges under the SRM University owned by Pachamuthu.
Many students staged a demonstration in front of the Chennai residence of Pachamuthu, who is also the Chancellor of the SRM University on Wednesday. Some of the students and their parents pointed out that Pachamuthu wields enormous power both in Chennai and in New Delhi. "He was seen sharing the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter's election campaign in Tamil Nadu," said one of the parents.
The SRM Group is engaged in business enterprises like educational institutions, hotels, transport, publications, film production and media in a big way.
Puthiya Thalamurai, the TV channel owned by the SRM Group is actively campaigning for the rights of the Tamils in northern Sri lanka. The local media were full of reports about the internal fight between Pachamuthu and his sons over the former's closeness to Madhan.