NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Chapel Hill, NC, April 22, 2026: A popular South Indian restaurant on Franklin Street has shut its doors temporarily after its owner was arrested earlier this month on attempted murder charges stemming from an alleged domestic incident.
CholaNad is currently listed as “temporarily closed” following the arrest of its owner, Mathivanan Pothiyappan, 49, by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office.
According to local reports and court documents, Pothiyappan faces multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder, assault, domestic violence, and communicating threats. Authorities allege the incident involved his wife and occurred at their residence earlier this month.
Investigators say Pothiyappan allegedly struck his wife with a bag filled with medicine and threatened to kill her with a knife. The woman managed to flee the home, after which he is accused of chasing her in his vehicle. Statements from the victim and the couple’s daughter reportedly corroborate the sequence of events outlined in court filings. Records also reference prior allegations of abuse within the family.
Pothiyappan was initially arrested on April 4 on misdemeanor domestic violence charges. On April 8, authorities upgraded the case, adding the attempted murder charge. Bond conditions reportedly include no contact with family members and the surrender of his passport. A court appearance is scheduled for next month.
The case has had an immediate impact on the restaurant, a well-known fixture in downtown Chapel Hill’s dining scene. In addition to its Franklin Street location, CholaNad’s campus dining outlet at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has also reportedly remained closed in recent days.
Founded in 2011, CholaNad built a reputation for its South Indian cuisine and had been a favorite among students and local residents. Pothiyappan took over ownership in 2016 and moved the restaurant to its current location in 2020.
All charges against Pothiyappan are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Cover photo courtesy: Cholanad/Instagram.
