SALEM: A woman panchayat president in Salem district was arrested on Sunday for allegedly misappropriating funds. N Ramani (43) of Redipatti Chittur panchayat in Edappadi Union was arrested by the District Crime Branch Police about 5.00 am on Sunday along with her husband P Nagarajan (47). Panchayat clerk Gopal was also arrested. Both Ramani and Nagarajan are DMK members.As per a complaint from Block Development Officer M Poovayee, `13.50 lakh was misappropriated from funds meant for providing water connections to houses and staff salary arrears. There have been irregularities in approving building plans as well. The complaint alleged that Nagarajan was the brain behind Ramani’s activities.After preliminary investigations, the District Crime Branch Police arrested all the three. Ramani took her six-month-old baby with her.Speaking to reporters, Nagarajan said the arrests were made without any basis and under the instigation of Minister for Highways Edappadi K Palanisami in a bid to prevent them from winning the local body elections.He said his wife delivered a baby six months ago after several years of marriage and that the baby was also taken in police custody.District Crime Branch Inspector S Dakshinamoorthy said cases were booked after prima facie evidence of misappropriation of funds was found. Ramani, Nagarajan and Gopal were produced before a court and remanded in custody. Police said the baby was handed over to Ramani’s mother before she was taken to the jail.
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