SRM group chairman Pachamuthu arrested in medical college scam

Chennai: SRM Group Chairman and SRM University Chancellor TR Pachamuthu has been arrested by the Crime Branch of the Chennai
police.  The arrest comes after the Madras High Court asked the Chennai police if there were any political reasons behind not
arresting Pachamuthu, with the court also threatening to transfer the probe to another agency. However, Pachamuthu was not
admitted to judicial custody immediately as he was taken to Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital for a medical check-up.  

Over 100 students had said that they had paid money to get medical seats in SRM college, but were not admitted.

Pachamuthu alias Pari Vendhar, is the founder of IJK party, an ally of the BJP. The party had contested the Assembly elections as a
constituent of the NDA in Tamil Nadu. On receiving summons from the police, he was interrogated on August 25 night. He was
reportedly arrested under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 34 (common intention).

In controversial circumstances, Pachamuthu's close associate Madhan, a film producer and Managing Partner of Vendhar Movies,
disappeared in May this year, leaving a suicide note.  

Madhan was said to act as an agent for the SRM group.

In the note, Madhan regretted that though parents had handed over crores of rupees, they would not get the medical seats as
promised due to NEET coming into force, bringing in its wake change in the entire admission process. Madhan had reportedly stated
that the money he had raised had helped the IJK contest elections in Tamil Nadu and Bihar.

107 students are said to have filed compaints of collection of money after promise of seats. Meanwhile, the SRM group, in a letituion
to the city police commissioner, sought action against Madhan, on the ground that he had created fake documents and collected
money. It then claimed that Madhan had no connections with the SRM group and was expelled in February from the IJK.