Veteran Tamil actor Radha has filed a police complaint against her sister, actor Ambika, and brother Mallikarjuna Kunjan Nair, alleging that signed blank cheques kept at her Chennai residence were taken without her knowledge and later used in an attempt to claim around ₹46 crore.
The complaint was submitted to the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner on September 21. Radha has sought an investigation into the allegations and criminal action if any offences are established.
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Signed Blank Cheques Allegedly Misused
Radha said she maintained an IDBI Bank current account for business-related expenses and kept a few signed blank cheques in her room at her Chennai residence. According to her complaint, the cheques were intended for routine payments such as salaries, utility bills, taxes and garden maintenance, particularly when she was travelling.
The account was initially operated under the name ARS Garden Studio. After the business was renamed RR Gardens in January 2025, Radha received a new cheque book and stopped using the previous one. She said she had forgotten that the old signed cheques remained at her residence.
Radha alleged that the cheques were later accessed from her room while she was away from Chennai.
Five Cheques Presented for ₹46 Crore
Radha said she became aware of the issue on September 17 when her bank informed her that five of the old cheques had been presented for encashment for ₹46 crore in Ambika’s name.
She said she immediately instructed the bank to stop payment. Radha claimed that she had neither given the cheques to Ambika nor entered into any financial arrangement with her that would justify such payments.
Radha further alleged that the cheques had been filled out by her brother Mallikarjuna. She claimed that Ambika and Mallikarjuna acted together in an attempt to use the documents for unlawful financial gain.
The allegations remain subject to police investigation.
Family Property Dispute Under Scrutiny
The complaint also raises concerns about access to family property. Radha alleged that she has been prevented from entering her property for about a year and a half.
She said valuables, jewellery, property documents and other records were kept there. The alleged cheque misuse has therefore become part of a wider family property dispute now under police scrutiny.
Radha has alleged that the cheques were accessed from her room during a period when she was away from Chennai.
Radha Seeks Police Investigation
Radha has asked police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the cheques and take criminal action if the allegations are established.
The complaint is yet to be adjudicated. The police inquiry is expected to establish how the cheques were accessed, how they were filled in and the circumstances in which they were presented for encashment.
The dispute highlights the risks associated with keeping signed blank cheques accessible, particularly after old cheque books are no longer being used. Banking documents should be stored securely and unused cheques should be closely accounted for. In this case, the ₹46 crore claim remains an allegation, and responsibility will depend on the findings of the police investigation.
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