TVK functionary held for cheating

Trichy: A TVK functionary in Pudukottai, who allegedly cheated several people of around Rs15 crore promising high returns on investment, was nabbed from Maharashtra on Monday. According to sources, the accused, R Saravanan, 31, hails from Thiruvappur in Pudukottai and reportedly served as district executive committee member in Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Saravanan allegedly collected more than Rs15 crore from hundreds of people by promising high interest rates but failed to repay them. In this situation, Saravanan went absconding for the past two weeks. People who had given him money could not reach him on phone. Fearing that he might evade repayment, some of them lodged police complaints.Subsequently, the district crime branch police began searching for him, and traced him to Maharashtra. He was arrested there and brought to Pudukottai on Monday. Upon learning of Saravanan's arrest, the affected people gathered at the office of the superintendent of police. Police assured them that a case would be registered and strict action taken, and that efforts would be made to recover their money.