TN CBCID arrests four in Rs 100 crore Palani temple land fraud case

Tamil Nadu CBCID arrested four persons in an alleged ₹100 crore temple land fraud case involving Dhandapani Swamy Mutt linked to Palani temple. Investigators allege forged documents were used to transfer property illegally and are probing possible involvement of officials

Chennai: 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.

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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. The alleged fraud came to light following a complaint, prompting the CBCID to launch a detailed investigation.

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.

Investigators have also collected documentary and oral evidence relating to the alleged conspiracy and the transfer of ownership. Although cases had been registered against four principal accused earlier, the CBCID on Wednesday formally arrested Vellathurai, Anvardheen, Murugadoss and Sethupathi after gathering what officials described as substantial evidence during the investigation.

The four accused are expected to be produced before the jurisdictional court.

Meanwhile, 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. Further arrests have not been ruled out as the probe progresses.