Accused in ₹100-Crore Palani Mutt Land Fraud Case Seeks Anticipatory Bail Before Madras High Court
The alleged land fraud involving property belonging to the historic Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Mutt in Palani has reached another significant legal stage, with one of the accused approaching the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail amid an expanding criminal investigation. The plea comes as the Tamil Nadu CB-CID intensifies its probe into the controversial registration of approximately 1.4 acres of mutt land, estimated to be worth nearly ₹100 crore.
The anticipatory bail application has been filed by suspended Sub-Registrar S. Justin Manikandan, who fears arrest following the registration of criminal cases over the alleged fraudulent land transaction. Before the High Court, the accused contended that the disputed sale deed had been executed by the regular Sub-Registrar and that his role was limited to assigning the document number during the registration process. On this basis, he argued that custodial interrogation was unnecessary and sought protection from arrest while the investigation continues.
The prosecution, however, maintains that the registration was part of a larger conspiracy that enabled valuable temple property to be transferred to private individuals in violation of legal procedures. The case has attracted widespread attention after allegations surfaced that the land, belonging to the centuries-old Palani Mutt, was illegally registered despite restrictions governing religious endowment properties. The investigation has since been transferred from the local police to the CB-CID due to the seriousness of the allegations and the high value of the property involved.
Earlier, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court declared the disputed land registration invalid, holding that the transaction could not stand in law. The court’s order effectively restored the legal status of the mutt’s ownership while also prompting the Tamil Nadu government to initiate departmental proceedings against registration officials allegedly connected with the transaction. Both the concerned Sub-Registrar and the District Registrar have been suspended pending further inquiry.
During the hearing of the anticipatory bail plea, the High Court granted interim protection from arrest to the accused until the next date of hearing, subject to conditions. The court is expected to examine the extent of the petitioner’s involvement, the progress of the CB-CID investigation, and whether custodial interrogation is necessary before deciding the plea on merits.
The Palani Mutt land case has emerged as one of Tamil Nadu’s most closely watched property fraud investigations, raising broader concerns over the safeguarding of temple and mutt assets, the integrity of land registration processes, and accountability within the Registration Department. The outcome of the ongoing investigation and the High Court proceedings is likely to have significant implications for future oversight of religious institution properties across the State.
