Palani temple land fraud: CB-CID questions five, probe widens
Synopsis
A prime 1.40-acre plot worth an estimated ₹100 crore near the Palani temple was allegedly registered to two private individuals for just ₹2 crore — a 98% undervaluation. With the Madras High Court voiding the deal and CB-CID now spanning five districts, the case exposes how court-administered temple lands can be targeted through registration offices, and the alleged buyer and seller are still at large.
Key Takeaways
CB-CID questioned five temple-related officials for nearly four hours at the Dindigul CB-CID office on 18 July .
1.40 acres of land valued at approximately ₹100 crore was allegedly registered to two private individuals for just ₹2 crore at the Palani Sub-Registrar's Office.
The land belongs to the Dhandapani Swamy Mutt Trust and is administered by the Joint Commissioner of the Palani Murugan Temple under a Madras High Court order.
Deputy Registrar Justin Manikandan and District Registrar Sasikala have been suspended; the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court declared the registration invalid.
CB-CID searches spanned Dindigul, Madurai, Theni, Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar districts, including CCTV review at the Sub-Registrar's Office.
The alleged buyer and seller are reportedly absconding ; further questioning is expected in coming days.
The Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) has intensified its investigation into the alleged fraudulent registration of 1.40 acres of prime land worth nearly ₹100 crore belonging to the historic Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani, Tamil Nadu, questioning five temple-related officials over nearly four hours and conducting searches across multiple districts. The probe, transferred to the CB-CID following a Madras High Court order declaring the disputed registration invalid, is now expanding to include the alleged buyer and seller, who are reportedly absconding.
The Disputed Land and How the Fraud Allegedly Unfolded
The land in question is located on Park Road at the foothills of the Palani temple and belongs to the Dhandapani Swamy Mutt Trust. Under a Madras High Court directive, the property is administered by the Joint Commissioner of the Palani Murugan Temple as trustee, and had most recently been converted into a parking facility for devotees.
Despite its estimated market value of approximately ₹100 crore, the land was allegedly registered in favour of two private individuals for just ₹2 crore at the Palani Sub-Registrar's Office earlier this month — a transaction that triggered widespread controversy once it emerged the property was under temple control.
FIR and Suspensions
A formal complaint filed by temple land section superintendent Muruganandam led police to register a case against former Palani Sub-Registrar Justin Manikandan, Murugadoss of Villupuram, Vellathurai of Pappankulam near Udumalpet, and Sethupathi of DKN Pudur. Subsequently, Deputy Registrar Justin Manikandan and District Registrar Sasikala were suspended. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court declared the registration invalid, clearing the path for the CB-CID to take over.
CB-CID Searches and Questioning
CB-CID teams fanned out across Dindigul, Madurai, Theni, Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar districts, visiting the Palani temple office, collecting land records, inspecting the disputed property and reviewing revenue department documents tied to the transaction.
CB-CID Superintendent Sajitha questioned five individuals at the Dindigul CB-CID office for nearly four hours. Those examined included complainant Muruganandam, temple superintendents Ganapathy and Sivanesan, retired tahsildar Mariyappan — who had previously handled temple land matters — and retired Village Administrative Officer Chinnasamy.
A separate CB-CID team searched the Palani Sub-Registrar's Office, examined digital records and reviewed CCTV footage to identify individuals who visited the office on the day the disputed registration was executed. Investigators also searched the residence of former Sub-Registrar Justin Manikandan in Dindigul.
What Investigators Are Pursuing Next
Authorities are now preparing to question the alleged buyer and seller, who are reportedly absconding. Officials suspect additional individuals may have facilitated the alleged fraud, and further rounds of questioning are expected in the coming days. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerability of temple lands administered under court orders to fraudulent registration attempts — this being among the more brazen alleged instances given the scale of undervaluation involved.
Point of View
Likely requiring insider co-operation at the Sub-Registrar's Office. Tamil Nadu's Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department administers thousands of acres of temple land across the state; if a property under active High Court trusteeship can be fraudulently alienated, the exposure across lesser-monitored temple holdings is significant. The absconding of the alleged buyer and seller, combined with the suspension of two registration officials, points to a network — and the CB-CID's multi-district sweep suggests investigators believe it.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Palani temple land fraud case?
The Palani temple land fraud involves the alleged fraudulent registration of 1.40 acres of prime land worth approximately ₹100 crore, belonging to the Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, in favour of two private individuals for just ₹2 crore. The registration was carried out at the Palani Sub-Registrar's Office and has since been declared invalid by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
Who has been suspended in connection with the Palani land fraud?
Deputy Registrar Justin Manikandan and District Registrar Sasikala have been suspended following the controversy. A case has also been registered against former Sub-Registrar Justin Manikandan, Murugadoss of Villupuram, Vellathurai of Pappankulam near Udumalpet, and Sethupathi of DKN Pudur.
What did the Madras High Court rule on the disputed registration?
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court declared the disputed land registration invalid, which paved the way for the case to be transferred to the CB-CID for a more intensive investigation.
Who did the CB-CID question and what is the current status of the probe?
CB-CID Superintendent Sajitha questioned five individuals — complainant Muruganandam, temple superintendents Ganapathy and Sivanesan, retired tahsildar Mariyappan, and retired Village Administrative Officer Chinnasamy — for nearly four hours. Investigators have also searched multiple offices and residences across five districts; the alleged buyer and seller are reportedly absconding and are next in line for questioning.
Why is the Palani temple land under court administration?
The 1.40-acre plot belongs to the Dhandapani Swamy Mutt Trust and is administered by the Joint Commissioner of the Palani Murugan Temple as trustee under a Madras High Court order. The temple administration had been managing the land, which was most recently used as a parking facility for devotees.
