Film family in a spot over car accident

Sep 16, 2008 IANS

Chennai, Sep 15 (IANS) The family of Tamil actor Silambarasan and his thespian-turned-politician father Vijay T. Rajendherr could be in trouble after their car was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident in which one person was killed, police said Monday.

A car belonging to the family hit a motorcycle, killing one of the riders, on Sep 11 in East Coast Road - the scene of many accidents due to drunken driving. The car was found deserted there.

Police sources said the matter was complicated.

"Usha (wife of Rajendherr) wanted to discipline her sons (Silambarasan and Kuralarasan) known for partying virtually every day. Chauffer Vasant Kumar was ordered to bring the car home without their knowledge to teach them a lesson. The identity of the person behind the wheel during the accident is not known," the source said, wishing anonymity.

Police are on the lookout for the chauffer.

Kuralarasan was unavailable for comment.

Vijay T. Rajendherr has threatened to sue the media for defaming his sons - Silambarasan and Kuralarasan - over the hit-and-run accident.

"My political opponents who have targeted my defenceless sons in a vicious attack will face punitive legal action because the car was reported stolen," Rajendherr told IANS.

In a separate statement, Silambarasan claimed innocence as he was out of the country at the time of the incident.

"I was in Sri Lanka between Sep 3 and 14, and the accident took place on Sep 11. A police complaint has been registered by our mother (Usha Rajendherr) in this regard before the accident," Silambarasan said.

Rajendherr, a legislator elected on the ruling DMK ticket, is a critic of the party.

He is prominently featured on Sun TV, a channel owned by the Marans - the estranged grand nephews of Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi.