Husband of panchayat prez threatens activist; arrested

CHENNAI: City police arrested the husband of Padiyanallur panchayat president Natarajan for allegedly threatening a social activist in Madhavaram.

D Nagarajan of Madhavaram complained to the police that he received threatening calls from the panchayat president’s husband on September 17 over a complaint he made against a quarry in Maduravasal village in Tiruvallur district.

Nagarajan had made a complaint with the Chief Minister’s cell about the illegal sand mining after which officials acted on it, said police sources.

Recently, the panchayat president’s husband called the complainant and questioned him as to why he made the complaint. Nagarajan also claimed that he was abused and threatened with dire consequences.

The complainant submitted call recordings and sought action after which Madhavaram police registered a case under IPC sections including criminal intimidation and arrested Natarajan. He was produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody.