Close to the heels of passing a resolution at its executive committee meeting to suspend its former president Sarath Kumar, ex-general secretary Radha Ravi and ex-treasurer Vaigai Chandrasekhar, the South India Film Artistes Association today filed a petition against the trio in the Madras High Court.

Nadigar Sangam president Nasser sought the court to direct the city police to register FIRs against the three on a police complaint lodged for allegedly misappropriating Rs. 1.65 crores from the association funds during their tenure.

“The association has over 8000 members. Funds are collected for their welfare. And the association president has all the powers to manage them. Between 2009 and 2015, when Sarath Kumar was at the helm, he along with Radha Ravi and Chandrasekhar had misappropriated the funds. We even filed a complained with police five months ago. But no action was taken,” Nasser said in his petition.

Seeking the court to issue order to register FIRs against them, Nasser said, “a neutral body should conduct enquiry,” Meanwhile, Sarath Kumar, Radha Ravi and Chandrasekhar were suspended yesterday temporarily from the association over corruption charges against them.

The new administration led by Nasser audited the accounts of the Nadigar Sangam pertaining to the tenure of the previous office bearers in which they have traced mishandling of funds to the tune of Rs. 1.65 crores. A show cause notice was also issued to them seeking explanation.

A resolution to this effect (suspension) was passed in the executive committee meeting, that was attended by 18 committee members. The decision to suspend the three was taken collectively.

The Nadigar Sangam also declared that it would stand by the Tamil Nadu Government in the Cauvery issue and thanked Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for her efforts in bringing water to save farmers.