Santhanam who reigned as the numero uno comedian of Tamil cinema a decade ago is now taking on only lead characters with mixed results. He has reportedly sought an investigation into the mysterious death of his close female relative to ascertain if it was an accident or murder.

According to reports Santhanam's relative Jayabharathi hailing from Thiruvaroor district, a few years back got married to one Vishnu Prakash, a software engineer in the USA and settled there. The couple who have a girl child split after misunderstandings and Jayabharathi returned to her parents home a few years back.

Jayabharathi had written a complaint about Vishnu Prakash's harassment and domestic violence to the company in which he was working and action was initiated regarding that. The husband had then threatened Jayabharathi to withdraw the complaint or face severe consequences.

Jayabharathi who was working in a private company was returning home a few days back when a mini truck that is used to carry cash for banks rammed into her and she died on the spot. The parents of the girl have raised suspicion that Vishnu Prakash may have hired paid killers to finish off their daughter to vengeance and have sought a detailed investigation with help from Santhanam.