CB-CID police investigating the alleged fraud involving land belonging to the Palani Dhandapani Swamy monastery have intensified their inquiry in Dindigul district. Officers examined how shops operating on encroached portions of the monastery land were granted electricity and drinking water connections.
According to the complaint, a high-value property near the Palani foothills on Poonga Road—said to be worth around Rs 100 crore—was allegedly registered in the names of private individuals for about Rs 2 crore using forged documents, in violation of a court order.
As part of the probe, CB-CID has questioned several individuals, including the sub-registrar Justin Manikandan, trust member Murugadas, and others named in the case, along with temple administration officials and personnel from the revenue and registration departments. The team has been collecting documents and statements to map the chain of events.
In the next phase, investigators reviewed records related to disputes and encroachments on the monastery land dating back to 1880. They also examined who ran commercial shops on the land, who issued business permissions, and what documents were used to approve electricity and water connections.
Following notices sent to electricity board officials, written records were submitted to the CB-CID. Police also questioned witnesses who signed case-related documents and looked into the process through which drinking water connections were obtained for the encroachment shops.
