The city crime branch has registered cases against former union minister, K.V. Thangkabalu and his wife and son on charges of cheating and issuing a threat to a man over administration of a textile mill in the city.

In his petition in the Judicial Magistrate court here, V.V. Vasan, a Tamil Maanila Congress functionary, alleged that a textile mill in Singanallur was bought through an auction for Rs. 20 crores in 2006. After renaming the mill as Thamarai Mill, Vasan was appointed in charge, with a promise of paying Rs.10 crores from the profit and a 20 cents of land in his name, the petition claimed.

However, when approached, Thangkabalu threatened with dire consequences and the mill was was renamed. The former minister made his wife Jayanthi and son Karthick as directors, Vasan said in the petition.

Based on the petition the 5th Judicial Magistrate directed police to register cases against the three and police booked cheating and conspiracy cases against them and further investigations on.