An Indian-origin restaurant owner in North Carolina has been charged with attempted murder following a domestic violence incident involving his wife.
The accused, 49-year-old Mathivanan Pothiyappan, was initially booked on April 4 on charges including assault on a female, communicating threats, and misdemeanor domestic violence. Days later, a more serious charge of attempted first-degree murder was added.
According to police, the incident came to light after the couple’s daughter called 911 when Pothiyappan allegedly chased his wife on the road during a heated argument.
Pothiyappan owns the CholaNad Indian restaurant on West Franklin Street, which has remained closed since his arrest.
He has reportedly said the restaurant will reopen soon but has not commented on the charges.
The victim told police that she had been facing verbal and physical abuse for a long time. She alleged that he had previously assaulted her and even burned her during past incidents.
On the day of the incident, the argument escalated, with Pothiyappan allegedly throwing objects and hitting her with a bag filled with medicines. He then reportedly threatened to kill her with a knife.
Fearing for her life, the woman ran out of the house, but Pothiyappan allegedly followed her in his car. It was during this sequence that their daughter alerted authorities.
Pothiyappan was initially released on a $5,000 bond. However, after the attempted murder charge was filed, he was rearrested and granted bail set at $100,000.
As part of his pre-trial conditions, he has been ordered to have no contact with the family members involved and to surrender his passport.
The case has drawn attention due to the seriousness of the allegations and the profile of the accused, who runs a well-known South Indian restaurant in the region.