The Tamil Nadu Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CBCID) has arrested four persons in connection with the alleged fraudulent transfer of temple land worth nearly ₹100 crore belonging to the Dhandapani Swamy Mutt attached to the famous Palani temple in Dindigul district.
The arrested accused have been identified as Vellathurai, Anvardheen, Murugadoss and Sethupathi. According to investigators, the four were allegedly involved in securing fraudulent land titles for valuable temple property by using forged documents in violation of existing court orders.
The case relates to a parcel of land owned by the Dhandapani Swamy Mutt located on Park Road at the foothills of the Palani temple. The land, estimated to be worth around ₹100 crore, was allegedly transferred to private individuals through forged records despite legal restrictions imposed by the court. Some reports say the land was registered for just ₹2 crore.
During the course of the probe, the investigating agency examined the role of several individuals, including Sub-Registrar Justin Manikandan, Murugadoss of the temple trust, Vellathurai of Pappankulam in Tiruppur district’s Udumalpet region, Sethupathi of Palani, as well as officials from the temple administration, the Revenue Department and the Registration Department. Investigators are examining whether government officials facilitated or overlooked the illegal transfer of the temple property.
CBCID officials said they have so far questioned 82 people as part of the investigation. Those examined include litigants connected with the court case, document registration officials, vendors, beneficiaries of the land transactions, witnesses, brokers, clerical staff and administrative personnel.
The four accused are expected to be produced before the jurisdictional court. The CBCID has indicated that the investigation is continuing to determine whether additional individuals, including public officials, were involved in the alleged land grab and document forgery.
When temple land is targeted, faith demands justice.
