An intensive inquiry is being conducted on Friday at the Dindigul CBCID office by District CBCID Superintendent Sajitha, with more than 5 Palani HR&CE officials, regarding the fraud involving land worth Rs 100 crore belonging to the Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy Mutt.
Land worth Rs 100 crore belonging to the Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Mutt located on Sannidhi Street at the foothills of Palani in Dindigul District was fraudulently registered for just Rs 2 crore using fake documents, in violation of court orders.
Based on a complaint lodged by S. Muruganandam, Superintendent of Palani Temple Lands Division, Palani Foothills Police registered a case under 5 sections, including conspiracy and fraud, against Sub-Registrar Justin Manikandan, fake trust member Murugadas and 3 others under the new criminal laws. Following this, the Tamil Nadu government transferred the case to the CBCID. CBCID police registered an FIR on Thursday and intensified the investigation with more than two officers.
As part of this, on Friday at the Dindigul CBCID office, District CBCID Superintendent Sajitha, who came from Madurai, personally questioned more than 5 officials, including Muruganandam, who filed the case, the Tahsildar and the Village Administrative Officer from the Revenue Department.
Earlier, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court allowed an appeal filed by the Arulmigu Dhandapani Swamigal Madam (Mutt), Palani. The court explicitly declared as “null and void” a highly controversial sale deed executed in favour of certain individuals in respect of 1.35 acres of land located in Palani, Dindigul district.
A Division Bench comprising Justices CV Karthikeyan and R Sakthivel overturned a previous Single Bench order. That lower order had directed the Sub-Registrar to register the sale deed if the document was otherwise found to be in order.
Justin Manikandan Subramanian, the Sub-Registrar (in-charge) who originally registered the disputed document, has since been placed under suspension.
In an effort to avoid arrest, Subramanian moved the High Court seeking anticipatory bail.
