The property housing MGR’s home and a school for deaf and mute children suffered heavy damages during the December 2 flooding in Chennai. The water destroyed the lower portion of the house and damaged movie tapes, albums, MGR’s statues and three memorial busts.
Chief Minister Jayaram Jayalalithaa, who was a protégé of MGR has deployed a 100-man construction crew to repaint, restore and redo the landscaping of the property.
Music director denies links to controversial song
Tamil film music director R Anirudh was summoned by police in Coimbatore over a defamation case filed by a women’s welfare organisation against him and actor Silambarasan last November.
The complainants had said that Anirudh and Silambarasan had written and sung a song that denigrated women and uploaded it on YouTube.
They evaded a court summons citing professional commitments. Finally Anirudh who came with his father actor Ravi Raghavendra submitted a two-page statement denying any connection to the song.
Top official of power firm murdered
V Venkateshwarulu, the vice- president of Kalpatru Power Transmission (KPT) company was hacked to death by two unidentified men at a pharmacy at Kumaran Nagar in Chennai last week.
The incident took place at night when the road was deserted. Venkateshwarulu’s car driver Arumugham was also injured when he tried to help. The suspects made sure that Venkateshwarulu was dead before escaping.
Police suspect KPTs employees are behind the crime as Venkateshwarulu had been investigating corruption and downsizing staff in the Chennai branch of the Gujarat-based power company. KPT has interests in steel, power and infrastructure.
IT professionals held for ‘spying’
Six software professionals and two students were arrested on suspicion of espionage in the temple town of Tiruvannamalai about 195km from Chennai last week.
The suspects allegedly took aerial photos of the Tiruvannamalai temple using an imported drone camera. Police said it was illegal for non-government agencies, organisations or individuals to fly such unmanned vehicles.
The software personnel were employed in Chennai and were released on bail. Police have sent their photos for cyber analysis. Security was stepped up in the town for the Pongal festival rush on January 15.
Investigations are underway.
University student threatens suicide
A suspended postgraduate student scaled the heritage Chennai University building and threatened to commit suicide Chennai last week.
Students and faculty gathered around the building and cajoled Rajkumar to come down. Rajkumar claimed he had been suspended four months ago along with some others for unruly behaviour. He claimed though others had been re-inducted his admission was delayed. The university faculty said that Rajkumar’s case was still in court.
