BJP functionary arrested

Chennai: City police on Tuesday arrested a functionary of Tamil Nadu BJP for allegedly threatening a city-based realtor, asking him to register a 15-acre plot owned by the realtor to his name.The complainant, M Moorthy, 56, of Chitra Avenue, Choolaimedu, runs a real estate firm. Moorthy had taken a loan of Rs 3 crore from the accused, L Sivakumar, 43, a BJP functionary from Cuddalore, to buy land and develop them into plots.Accordingly, Moorthy had bought a 14.8-acre land parcel at Palur in the neighbouring Chengelpet district and developed them into plots for sale. Recently, Moorthy had contacted Sivakumar, asking if he could sell some of the plots and also offered him a commission.On Tuesday, Sivakumar, along with four of his henchmen, barged into Moorthy's office in Choolaimedu and threatened Moorthy, asking him to register the land to his name. Based on Moorthy's complaint, Choolaimedu Police registered a case and arrested Sivakumar on Tuesday night. A search is on for those who accompanied him.