Chennai: Former AIADMK minister Shanmuganathan’s son, Raja Shanmuganathan, who is also a councillor in Tuticorin, was intercepted and arrested at Chennai airport in connection with a ₹17 crore cheating case, moments before boarding a flight to Malaysia. A lookout circular was pending against Raja Shanmuganathan.He is AIADMK’s 59th ward councillor and Thoothukudi Corporation’s opposition leader, and faces a case of for cheating his sister of ₹17 crore by misusing her property under the pretext of offering company shares.In her complaint, Ponnarasi Ashokkumar, 38, said her brother Raja and his wife Anusha lured her into investing in their company, Omeena Pharma Distributors Pvt Ltd, by promising her 16% equity. To facilitate this, they mortgaged securities and bonds belonging to her late husband, and pledged her two-acre land in Sriperumbudur. Using these assets, they secured a loan of ₹11 crore in the name of the company, which was later diverted to another company — Ashun Exim — owned by Raja.Raja also made Ponnarasi to invest in a quarry business named Golden Blue Metals Pvt Ltd in Thoothukudi. She allegedly handed over 300 sovereigns of gold jewellery, which Raja pledged to raise funds. Using these funds, he reportedly purchased around 40 acres of land in Thoothukudi, and registered it in his own name.Investigations revealed that instead of honouring the agreement to share profits or provide equity, Raja and Anusha forged documents to illegally transfer the company’s shares to Raja. They fabricated a resignation letter in Ponnarasi’s name and uploaded it to the Registrar of Companies (ROC), removing her from her position as director of Golden Blue Metals Pvt Ltd and appointing Anusha in her place.Based on Ponnarasi’s complaint, the central crime branch registered a case and began investigations. Police also issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Raja.Raja was intercepted at the Chennai International Airport On June 10 and was taken into custody for inquiry. He was subsequently arrested and remanded in judicial custody.