Four Arrested in ₹100 Crore Temple Land Fraud in Tamil Nadu
Major Arrests in Temple Land Fraud Case
Representational Image
Chennai, July 29: The Tamil Nadu Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CBCID) has apprehended four individuals linked to the alleged fraudulent transfer of temple land valued at nearly ₹100 crore, associated with the Dhandapani Swamy Mutt near the renowned Palani temple in Dindigul district.
The suspects have been named as Vellathurai, Anvardheen, Murugadoss, and Sethupathi.
Investigators claim that these individuals were involved in obtaining fraudulent land titles for the temple property by utilizing forged documents, contravening existing court orders.
This case pertains to a piece of land owned by the Dhandapani Swamy Mutt situated on Park Road at the base of the Palani temple.
Despite legal restrictions imposed by the court, the land, estimated to be worth around ₹100 crore, was allegedly transferred to private parties through falsified records.
The fraud was uncovered following a complaint, which led the CBCID to initiate a thorough investigation.
During the inquiry, the agency scrutinized the involvement of various individuals, including Sub-Registrar Justin Manikandan, Murugadoss from the temple trust, Vellathurai from Pappankulam in Udumalpet, Sethupathi from Palani, and officials from the temple administration, Revenue Department, and Registration Department.
Authorities are investigating whether any government officials played a role in facilitating or ignoring the illegal transfer of temple property.
So far, CBCID officials have interrogated 82 individuals as part of the investigation, including litigants related to the court case, document registration officials, vendors, beneficiaries of the land transactions, witnesses, brokers, clerical staff, and administrative personnel.
Documentary and oral evidence concerning the alleged conspiracy and ownership transfer has also been gathered.
While cases had previously been filed against the four main suspects, the CBCID formally arrested Vellathurai, Anvardheen, Murugadoss, and Sethupathi on Wednesday after accumulating what officials termed substantial evidence during the investigation.
The accused are expected to appear before the jurisdictional court soon.
Additionally, the CBCID has stated that the investigation is ongoing to ascertain if more individuals, including public officials, were involved in the alleged land fraud and document forgery.
Further arrests may occur as the investigation continues.