Crime Branch CID files chargesheet in Palani temple mutt land scam case

Chennai: The Crime Branch CID, Dindigul, has electronically filed the chargesheet in the alleged fraudulent sale and registration of 1.35 acres of Arulmigu Dhandapani Swami Mutt land case in Palani, the police said on Monday. The chargesheet has been filed before the jurisdictional Judicial Magistrate Court on October 24 within the statutorily stipulated 90-day period, naming five persons including a suspended sub-registrar, a release from the DGP office said.

The land, dedicated in 1888 for the Mutt’s religious and charitable purposes, has a guideline value of approximately Rs 16 crore. Police investigation revealed that a sale deed was executed for a consideration of Rs 2 crore and registered despite the pendency of an appeal by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. During the investigation, more than 160 witnesses were examined.

Documents obtained from the Registration, Revenue and HR&CE Departments, CCTV footage, call detail records and banking records were collected and analysed, the release said. “Based on the evidence collected, the chargesheet has been filed against Murugadass, Sethupathy, Vellaithurai, Justin Manikandan (Sub-Registrar, under suspension) and Jeyaprakash. One accused, advocate Anwardeen, died on August 7, 2026, and proceedings against him have abated,” it said. Further investigation is continuing in respect of other persons involved and the aspects relating to offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the release said further.