Chennai, July 28:
Kayalvizhi, daughter of former Union minister M.K. Alagiri and granddaughter of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, has been booked by the police for allegedly assaulting and intimidating a bank official in Chennai. The incident reportedly took place on July 20 at the State Bank of India’s (SBI) NRI branch located in the Adyar area.
According to police sources, the case was registered following a formal complaint lodged by an SBI official. Authorities confirmed that the alleged altercation was captured on the branch’s CCTV cameras, which are now part of the ongoing investigation.
A video, believed to be from the CCTV footage, surfaced on social media and quickly went viral. While the authenticity of the clip has not been independently verified, it appears to show Kayalvizhi engaged in a heated argument with the branch manager inside his office. During the exchange, she is seen mimicking the manager’s posture before allegedly slapping him across the face. Another individual present in the room is seen attempting to intervene and calm the situation by holding her back.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the confrontation may have stemmed from a dispute over a malfunctioning lift in the commercial building where the SBI branch operates. Police indicated that the property is allegedly owned by Kayalvizhi.
During her visit to the premises, she reportedly raised concerns about the lift’s condition, which led to a verbal altercation with the bank manager. The argument escalated when both parties moved into the manager’s office, where the alleged physical assault occurred. Officials stated that Kayalvizhi has been booked under charges related to assault and criminal intimidation. Further investigation into the matter is currently underway.
This incident comes amid memories of a previous controversy involving SBI. Last year, a separate video from a branch in Karnataka went viral, showing a disagreement between a customer and a bank official over language usage. The customer had insisted that the official speak in Kannada, while the official initially refused, triggering widespread public backlash.
Following the incident, the SBI employee issued a public apology in Kannada, stating regret for any hurt caused and assuring better cooperation in the future. The matter also drew attention from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who later appreciated the bank for addressing the situation promptly.
In the current case involving Kayalvizhi, police are examining CCTV footage, witness statements, and other evidence to determine the sequence of events and establish accountability. Authorities have stated that appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
The incident has sparked discussions on social media regarding conduct, accountability, and the use of influence in public spaces, while officials emphasize that the case will be handled strictly as per the law.