A group accused in the Palani Dhandapani Swamy Mutt land fraud has allegedly carried out a similar operation in Ayakudi, also in Dindigul district. The latest case involves the registration of temple land said to be worth about ₹2 crore.
According to Hindu Tamilar Katchi leader Ram Ravikumar, 2.40 acres belonging to Sri Kannika Parameswari Amman Temple in Ayakudi was registered using forged documents. He claimed the registration took place the day after the disputed registration involving the Palani mutt land.
He alleged that documents were prepared by individuals from Ottanchathiram and the registration was completed by a sub-registrar. The temple is described as a non-listed temple under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. He also said the HR&CE Assistant Commissioner in Dindigul had submitted a petition to the Registration Department on March 5 seeking to prevent such registrations, but the deed was registered on July 7.
Ravikumar called for a detailed inquiry into the purpose behind targeting temple properties, regular audits in the Registration Department, and action against all officials allegedly involved. He also urged the state government to form a special team to examine illegal registrations and sought stringent action against those named.
Meanwhile, HR&CE Minister Ramesh said in Tiruchirappalli that police action has been taken against 19 people in connection with an attempt, during the previous regime, to register land belonging to the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. He said the department initiates legal steps once such cases come to its notice and cited the Palani case as involving misuse of court processes to obtain orders for fraudulent registrations.
