CPI(M) Leader Demands Probe Into Rs 100 Crore Palani Temple Land Fraud

On Tuesday, CPI(M) Tamil Nadu Secretary P Shanmugam alleged a deep-rooted conspiracy in the fraudulent registration of 1.4 acres of land belonging to the ancient Sri Dhandayudhapani Swamy temple in Palani. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Shanmugam demanded an impartial Crime Branch CID (CB-CID) probe to bring the culprits to book. He claimed that certain officials from top to bottom were involved in registering the temple property, which is worth Rs 100 crore, for just Rs 2 crore.

Shanmugam stated that those involved in the fraudulent deal must be brought to book, regardless of how prominent they are. He alleged that there is a deep-rooted conspiracy among officials and certain individuals who bypassed the law. According to the Marxist leader, these individuals executed the massive fraud by suppressing older court cases and misleading the courts. He insisted that everyone involved, no matter how influential they are, must be arrested and punished.

Addressing the media in Chennai, Shanmugam emphasized that the ongoing CB-CID investigation into the temple land scam must be conducted honestly and thoroughly. Although no arrests have been made in the case so far, the CB-CID has already initiated searches at multiple locations across the state of Tamil Nadu.

In connection with the ongoing investigation, a sub-registrar who anticipated being arrested has obtained interim bail. The interim bail was granted by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. The High Court has restrained the police from arresting the sub-registrar until August 4, on the condition that the official cooperates with the investigating officers.

In addition to the sub-registrar, the police have named three other individuals in connection with the fraudulent land registration case. The named individuals include a person named Murugadas, as well as two private buyers identified as Sethupathi and Vellathurai.