Palani Mutt Land Sold for Rs 2 Crore Despite Pending HR&CE Appeal, CID Says

The Crime Branch-CID (CB-CID), Dindigul, has filed a chargesheet against five persons in connection with the alleged fraudulent sale and registration of 1.35 acres of land belonging to the Arulmigu Dhandapani Swami Mutt in Palani, Tamil Nadu, police said on Monday.

The chargesheet was electronically filed before the jurisdictional Judicial Magistrate Court on October 24, within the statutorily stipulated 90-day period, according to a release issued by the Director General of Police (DGP) office.

The land, dedicated to the Mutt in 1888 for religious and charitable purposes, has an estimated guideline value of Rs 16 crore. Investigators found that a sale deed was executed for a consideration of Rs 2 crore and registered despite an appeal filed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department being pending.

The chargesheet names Murugadass, Sethupathy, Vellaithurai, Justin Manikandan, a suspended sub-registrar, and Jeyaprakash as accused in the case.

During the investigation, the CB-CID examined more than 160 witnesses and collected records from the Registration, Revenue and HR&CE departments. Investigators also analysed CCTV footage, call detail records and banking documents as part of the evidence-gathering process.

The police said the chargesheet was filed based on the evidence collected during the investigation.

Advocate Anwardeen, another accused in the case, died on August 7, 2026. Consequently, proceedings against him have abated, the DGP office release said.

The case concerns the alleged irregularities in the transfer and registration of land associated with the Mutt, which was originally dedicated for religious and charitable activities.

The CB-CID is continuing its investigation into the involvement of other persons and possible offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the release added.

Further action in the case will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation and the proceedings before the court.