A lawyer arrested in connection with the fraudulent registration of 1.4 acres of land valued at Rs 100 crore, belonging to the Palani temple mutt in Dindigul district, died on Saturday while lodged in Madurai Central Prison as a remand prisoner.
S Anwardeen was among those arrested by the Crime Branch-CID (CB-CID), which is probing the fraudulent registration of the 1.4-acre land belonging to the Arulmigu Dhandapani Swamigal Madam in Palani, Dindigul district. Following his arrest, Anwardeen was remanded in judicial custody and lodged in Madurai Central Prison.
Prison sources said he had been suffering from diabetes and complications arising from a stroke. His health reportedly deteriorated while in custody, following which he was provided medical treatment. Despite treatment, he died of health-related complications on Saturday, officials said.
Prison and police authorities have initiated the statutory procedures to be followed in the event of a custodial death, including informing the judiciary and conducting the necessary inquiries. Further investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death are under way.
The CB-CID had arrested three persons on Wednesday morning in connection with the case pertaining to fraudulent registration of the 1.4-acre land valued at Rs 100 crore. The arrested were identified as Murugadas, 56, of Villupuram, who allegedly sold the land using forged documents; Vellaithurai, 60, of Tiruppur, who allegedly purchased the property; and advocate Anwardeen, 65, of Palani, who is suspected to have facilitated the transaction.
Lawyer in Rs 100 crore Palani temple land fraud case dies in Madurai Central Prison; statutory procedures initiated for custodial death inquiry.
When justice awaits, even death cannot silence the truth.
