CB-CID has approached the Dindigul First Magistrate Court seeking seven days’ police custody of a suspended sub-registrar and a deed writer arrested in the alleged fraudulent registration of land belonging to the Palani Dhandapani Swamy Mutt.
Investigators say land worth about Rs 100 crore, located near the Palani foothills, was registered in the name of private individuals. A case has been registered against 11 people in connection with the alleged scam.
Those arrested include suspended sub-registrar Justin Manikandan (48), Villupuram trust administrator Murugadas (56), buyer Vellai Durai (60) of Pappankulam in Tiruppur, Palani Sethupathi (67), advocate Anwardeen (65) and Ottanchathiram deed writer Jayaprakash (38). Police said Anwardeen died in Madurai prison due to illness, while Justin Manikandan is undergoing treatment at the Madurai Government Hospital after complaining of chest pain.
CB-CID plans to question the accused in detail, including why the land was registered on the same day and what other registrations were handled by the sub-registrar that day. The custody petition is listed for hearing on August 19 before Magistrate Bakkiyaraj, and both accused are to be produced in court.
