Dindigul, July 18: The Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) has ramped up its investigation into the alleged fraudulent registration of land valued at approximately ₹100 crores linked to the historic Palani Dandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Tamil Nadu. The agency has interrogated five officials associated with the temple administration and conducted searches at several locations related to the case.
The focus of the investigation is a prime 1.40-acre plot situated on Park Road at the base of the Palani Temple. This property belongs to the Dandayuthapani Swamy Mutt Trust. According to an order from the Madras High Court, the management of this trust is overseen by the joint commissioner trustee of the Palani Murugan Temple, which also administers the land.
Recently developed as a parking area for devotees, this land, valued at around ₹100 crores, was allegedly registered in the names of two private individuals for just ₹2 crores at the Palani sub-registrar’s office earlier this month.
The revelation has sparked significant controversy, as the land was under the control of the temple administration.
Following a complaint from Muruganandam, the temple’s land section supervisor, police registered a case against the then Palani sub-registrar Justin Manikandan, Murugadas from Viluppuram, Vellathurai from Pappankulam near Udumalaipet, and Setupati from DKN Pudur.
Sub-registrar Justin Manikandan and district registrar Sasikala were subsequently suspended. The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court declared the disputed registration illegal and paved the way for the CB-CID to take over the investigation.
After assuming control, CB-CID teams conducted searches across Dindigul, Madurai, Theni, Ramanathapuram, and Virudhunagar districts. Investigators visited the Palani temple office to collect documents related to the land, inspect the disputed property, and review records from the revenue department.
CB-CID Superintendent Sajitha interrogated five individuals for nearly four hours at the Dindigul office. Those questioned included complainant Muruganandam, temple superintendent Ganapathi, and retired officials Mariyappan and Chinnasamy, who managed temple land affairs.
Investigators also examined the original land records and gathered detailed information about the individuals involved in the alleged transactions. Another CB-CID team scrutinized digital records at the Palani sub-registrar’s office and reviewed CCTV footage to identify individuals who visited the office on the day of the disputed registration.
According to officials, the alleged buyers and sellers are currently at large, and efforts to question them will commence soon. Searches have also been conducted at the Dindigul residence of former sub-registrar Justin Manikandan.
The CB-CID suspects that several other individuals may be involved in this alleged land scam, indicating that further interrogations are likely in the coming days.
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