Burglars have broken into union home minister P Chidambaram’s ancestral house at a village in Tamil Nadu. Discovery of the break-in on Monday triggered a flurry of police activity.
The house at Kandanur village, about 450 km south of Chennai, in Karaikudi is in Chidambaram’s Lok Sabha constituency of Sivaganga and usually locked up. More than 100 years old, the house is opened for family functions and reunions.
After the caretaker of the house detected the break-in, police began searching for clues and pressed sniffer dogs into service. Police suspect burglars forced their entry into the house through the roof, where some tiles are missing .
Sivaganga superintendent of police Paneer Selvam said owners of the house, including Chidambaram, were away and an assessment of missing items could be done after they came.
“We are collecting fingerprints from the spot and investigations are on.” He declined to say if there were any suspects.
Kandanur village, located in the Chettinadu region, is known for its huge mansions with exquisitely carved doors and colonnades extending from one street to another.
The region also has a tradition of Podhu Veedu (a house common to all heirs), which is followed for Chidambaram’s ancestral property. It is the common property of the union home minister and his extended family members. Chidambaram and his family are registered voters from this address.
In Chennai, the union home minister’s son, Karti Chidambaram, confirmed the break-in, but said he would not be able to assess what could be missing from the house.
{{/usCountry}}In Chennai, the union home minister’s son, Karti Chidambaram, confirmed the break-in, but said he would not be able to assess what could be missing from the house.
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