Amid Rs 1 million extortion claim, CM Vijay urged to help teenage kabaddi player

Dubai: Karthika, an Indian kabaddi player, has sought help from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay following allegations of extortion and interference in her personal life. The teenage athlete returned from the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad, where India secured victory over Uganda, only to face a heated situation at Chennai International Airport.

Her mother, Saranya, claims that individuals demanded a payment of Rs 10 lakh, stating that the money was needed for a sports department official. The family was reportedly taken to Madurai and coerced into transferring the funds into accounts associated with people named Duraipandi and Suji. However, these claims have not been independently verified, and the individuals named have not commented on them.

Saranya also alleges that she hasn't been able to see her daughter for seven months, claiming that supporters of Karthika's former coach attempted to prevent her from approaching her at the airport. The situation unfolds amidst a separate sexual assault case involving the former coach, Raji, who was arrested under the POCSO Act after a 17-year-old player accused him of abuse.

Karthika's former coach's coach, Kavitha Selvaraj, denied any personal conflict with the player, stating that Karthika informed her she was unable to participate in the final. The family now seeks the intervention of the chief minister to investigate the alleged financial transactions and resolve the family's dispute.