Prominent Tamil film director Lingusamy has been sentenced to one year in prison by a Chennai court in a cheque fraud case dating back to 2016. The verdict, delivered by the Allikulam Magistrate's Court, also involves his brother and business partner, Subhash Chandra Bose.
Court Verdict and Sentencing Details
The Allikulam court in Chennai found the charges under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act proven against Lingusamy and his brother. Both have been sentenced to one year of imprisonment each. Furthermore, the court has directed them to pay the outstanding amount of ₹48.68 lakhs to Baseman Finance within two months. The judge specified that failure to pay this sum would result in an additional two-month jail term.
Origins of the 2016 Loan Dispute
The legal trouble stems from a financial transaction in 2016. The production company 'Tirupathi Brothers', jointly operated by Lingusamy and Subhash Chandra Bose, secured a loan of approximately ₹35 lakhs from Baseman Finance for business expansion. According to the agreement, the amount was to be repaid within a stipulated period.
When the repayment did not occur as scheduled, Rahul Kumar, the director of Baseman Finance, issued a notice demanding a total of ₹48.68 lakhs, which included accrued interest. As the cheques issued by the directors subsequently bounced, a formal legal case was filed in 2018.
Lingusamy's Clarification on Arrest Warrant Rumours
Following the verdict, social media was abuzz with rumours of an immediate arrest warrant against the director. Lingusamy promptly issued a statement to clarify the situation and dispel misinformation.
In his explanation, the director confirmed the court's ruling but emphasized that they have been granted 30 days to file an appeal against the decision. He stated, "We will face this legally and appeal the false case filed against us." He strongly denied reports of an arrest warrant being issued, calling them "completely false" and requested the public not to spread such news. His statement has helped clarify the legal position following the court's order.
The case highlights the legal repercussions of financial disputes in the entertainment industry, even for well-established figures. All eyes will now be on the appellate process as the director and his brother seek to challenge the magistrate court's verdict.
