CB-CID files chargesheet in the sale of ₹16 crore of Palani matha land dedicated in 1888

The Crime Branch-CID in Dindigul has filed a chargesheet in the case of fraudulent registration of land belonging to Arulmigu Dhandapani Swamigal Math in Palani, The Hindu reported on Monday. According to a CB-CID press release, the chargesheet was filed electronically before the jurisdictional Judicial Magistrate court on 24 October.

The case concerns the alleged fraudulent sale and registration of 1.35 acres of the matha's land. The CB-CID said the land was dedicated in 1888 for the matha's religious and charitable purposes and has a guideline value of about ₹16 crore.

Investigators found that a sale deed was executed for a stated consideration of ₹2 crore and registered despite a pending appeal by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. More than 160 witnesses were examined during the probe, the agency said.

It collected and analysed documents from the Registration, Revenue and HR&CE departments along with CCTV footage, call detail records and banking records. The chargesheet names Murugadass, Sethupathy, Vellaithurai, suspended sub-registrar Justin Manikandan and Jeyaprakash.

Proceedings against a sixth accused, advocate Anwardeen, have abated because he died on 7 August, the CB-CID said. Further investigation is continuing into other people involved and into offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.