My father is not ready to patch up: M A M R Muthiah

Interview with Managing Director, Chettinad Cement

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Industrialist M A M Ramaswamy, former chairman of Chettinad Group, has alleged adopted son M A M R Muthiah wants him dead, to be able to take over all his assets. However, Muthiah denies the allegations, saying his father is being advised by the wrong people. In an interview with T E Narasimhan, Muthiah says he tried to sort things with his father but was unsuccessful. Edited excerpts:

What is your reaction?

My father is surrounded by the wrong people and has been wrongly advised. I rushed back from Singapore after I heard they (Ramaswamy's people) were trying to break into my office. Around 30-40 people tried to stop me from entering my house (inside the Chettinad House complex in Chennai). My security personnel tried to protect me and were assaulted. My security personnel have given a complaint and based on it, 20 people were arrested.

Your father has alleged you want him dead, so that you can take over his assets, including the house...

It is the other way around. Again, people around him have advised him wrongly.

As far as taking over the property is concerned, there is nothing to take over. Legally, it will come to me after his time. Why would I do that (try to take over the property)? What is the urgency?

What is the fundamental problem?

Problem between natural son and adopted son.

Have you tried to patch up with your father?

Yes, I did. Even today, police advised me to apologise to him and I did not shy away from doing so, as he is my father. But he was not willing to put it behind. His way or no way at all is his policy. As far as business goes, it cannot be run his way. I am not able to focus on business because of all this.