(Image source from: The News Minute)

A Chennai court has ordered the issuing of bailable arrest warrants against Kollywood actor Radikaa and husband Sarath Kumar and their business partner Listin Stephen in connection with a case of alleged financial fraud.

Listin Stephen is the producer of the Malayalam hit Ustad Hotel which went onto bag three National Film Awards in 2012. 

A fast track court in Saidapet in Chennai was on Monday hearing a petition by Radiance Media, a film financing company.

Radiance had alleged that Radikaa, Sarath Kumar and producer Listin Stephen, who are partners at a production company named Magic Frames, had borrowed Rs 1.5 crore Radiance in 2014. To repay this amount, Magic Frames reportedly issued two cheques.

Later, actor Sarath Kumar, who is chief of the Samathuva Makkal Katchi, had taken a hand loan of Rs 50 lakh from the company. To repay this amount, Sarath Kumar issued five cheques worth Rs 10 lakh each.

However, all cheques bounced and Radiance Media reached a decision to approach the court against the Radikaa, Sarath Kumar, and Stephen.

The Madras High Court in May this year turned down to quash criminal proceedings against the couple for the Rs 1.5 crore repayment, giving orders to a fast track court to complete the trial in no more than six months. However, the court quashed criminal proceedings against Radikaa Sarath Kumar and Listin Stephen in connection with the bouncing of five cheques for Rs 50 lakh.

Since the couple did not appear in person, the court ordered that bailable arrest warrants be issued against the duo. The matter has been posted for further trial on July 12.

Going by their social media posts, Radikaa and Sarath Kumar appear to be in the United Kingdom.

By Sowmya Sangam