Dindigul (Tamil Nadu), July 29 – The Tamil Nadu CB-CID has apprehended four individuals in connection with a fraudulent land registration case involving a valuable plot associated with the renowned Palani Murugan Temple. An investigation is underway regarding the alleged preparation of fake documents to transfer ownership to private individuals. A local court has remanded the suspects to judicial custody until August 12. According to police sources, these arrests mark a significant breakthrough in the case concerning 1.4 acres of land near the temple.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Vellaithurai (60) from Tirupur, Anwardeen (65) from Dindigul, Murugadas (56) from Villupuram district, and Setupati from Palani. The questioning was conducted under the direct supervision of CB-CID Superintendent Shajita. Meanwhile, authorities are actively searching for another key suspect, Jayaprakash, a land broker from Oddanchatram, who is currently on the run.

The four suspects were escorted to court from the Dindigul CB-CID office under police protection. The court has placed them in 15 days of judicial custody. An FIR was filed against the suspects at the Palani Adhivaram police station based on a complaint from Muruganandam, the head of the Palani temple land department.

The named suspects include Justin Manikandan, the Joint Sub-Registrar from Palani, Murugadas, a member of the temple trust, Vellaithurai (who purchased the land), and Setupati from Palani Pudhur. They face charges under five sections, including criminal conspiracy and fraud. Officials noted that this land was intended to provide free parking services for devotees, with an estimated market value of around ₹100 crores.

It was reported that earlier this month, the land was registered under private ownership for just ₹2 crores. According to officials, this land was dedicated solely for religious and charitable purposes under a permanent settlement deed from 1888, prohibiting any commercial sale or transfer. Despite this, the land was registered to private individuals on July 6.

During this registration process, the clear and written objections from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department were disregarded. The state government had previously suspended Justin Manikandan, the Joint Sub-Registrar of Palani, and District Registrar Shashikala for facilitating the illegal registration process. Manikandan has since received interim anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court, and recently, he was interrogated for seven hours by the Crime Branch-CID.

The CB-CID was assigned to investigate the case on July 15, and so far, inquiries have been conducted with over 80 individuals, including several officials. The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has already declared the disputed sale deed invalid.