Business rivalry: vandalism case against ex-DMK MLA

Madurai, Feb 13 (UNI) Police registered a case against former DMK legislator R M Sivaraman, a quarry owner and 50 others in connection with yesterday's assault on office personnel and ransacking the property of a business rival at Rengasamipuram and Melur.

According to police, the former MLA of Thirupathur, with hired henchmen allegedy ransacked machinery and other property of Sindhu Granites in Rengasamipuram, owned by P K Selvaraj of Dharmapuri.

Later, the office premises of Selvaraj in Melur came under attack from the same gang. In both instances, office personnel of Sindhu Granites suffered minor injuries.

There was tension between the rivals after Sivaraman purchased a quarry contiguous to that of Selvaraj at Rengasamipuram. The simmering issue took a violent turn yesterday with a group barging into Sindhu Granites and damage six tipper lorries and ransacked the office premises. The damage at Rengasamipuram and at Melur was estimated at more than Rs one crore.

Meanwhile, case were eregistered against the DMK leader and others on the complaint of the manager of Sindhu Granites.

Police said in retaliation, another group intercepted and damaged Sivaraman's car.

Police also filed cases against 11 people including Selvaraj, after a complaint was lodged by Sivaraman.

UNI