In a major breakthrough in the high-profile land scam, the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CBCID) in Dindigul on Tuesday (July 28) arrested four principal accused in the case.
They have been arrested for alleged fraudulent registration, and attempted grab of 1.4 acres of prime land, belonging to the Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Mutt in Palani, valued at around ₹100 crore.
The arrested are: Anwardeen (65), an advocate from ACC Road, Palani, described as the crucial mastermind behind the conspiracy; Murugadass (56), the purported seller and administrator of a private trust; and the two purchasers: Vellathurai (60) of Pappankulam near Udumalpet in Tiruppur district, and Sethupathi of Palani. They have been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, specifically Sections 318(4) (cheating and inducing delivery of property), 336(3) and 340(2) (forgery and using forged documents), and 49 and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy and abetment) and set to produce before a court for remand.
CBCID teams are trying to unearth the possible involvement of government officials and other influential figures behind the conspiracy. The arrests follow weeks of protests by political parties and spiritual organisations demanding swift action.
Land scam
The disputed land’s roots stretch back to 1888, when Kuppusamy Maniyakkar of Balasamuthiram gifted the 1.40-acre plot to Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Mutt.
The endowment deed permanently dedicated it to the mutt for spiritual activities, service to Lord Murugan and the welfare of devotees. It expressly barred any sale, transfer, or commercial use, with the intent that the property remain under temple control forever.
The four accused - Vellathurai, Anwardeen, Murugadas and Sethupathi - have been picked up by the CBCID, creating a fresh momentum in the case
Alternating family naming traditions between Thandapani and Murugadas across generations later created ambiguity that was allegedly exploited. In 1998, a descendant sold the land to a Chennai buyer, VVR Venkatachalam, for ₹1 crore in clear violation of the deed. The temple administration challenged the transfer.
Both the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court invalidated the sale, restored ownership to the Thandapani Swamy Mutt/Devasthanam and laid down guidelines for similar endowment properties.
Encroachments were cleared and, by September 2025, the HR&CE Department fully recovered possession, converting the site into a free parking area for devotees.
Despite repeated written objections from the temple administration (letters dated September 2025, November 2025, December 2025 and March 2026, warning the registration authorities not to process any deed), a sale deed was executed on March 27, 2026, for a nominal ₹2 crore. On July 6, 2026 when the regular sub-registrar was on leave Justin Manikandan, who held additional charge as Sub-Registrar (Joint-II) at the Palani office, registered the document (No. 1446 of 2026).
The seller was Murugadas, who claimed to be the managing trustee/administrator of a private entity styled “Thirupugazh Swamigal, Murugadas Swamigal and Dhandapani Swamigal Trust.” The purchasers were named as Vellathurai of Tiruppur/Udumalpet area and another individual.
Fraud comes to light
The alleged fraud came to light during an HR&CE verification of temple properties. Temple Land Section superintendent S Muruganantham lodged a complaint on July 13, leading the Palani Adivaram police to register an FIR against Murugadas, the purchasers and the sub-registrar. The registration department suspended Justin Manikandan and later, district registrar Sasikala.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court subsequently declared the registration null and void.
CBCID probe
Tamil Nadu DGP Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal transferred the probe to the CBCID on July 15. Searches were conducted at multiple locations, including the suspended sub-registrar’s residence and Murugadas's house in Villupuram, where documents were seized. Officials from HR&CE, Revenue and Registration departments have been questioned.
Opposition parties, including AIADMK, have staged protests and demanded a CBI probe. They allege that the CBCID investigation is a 'whitewash' and that influential persons linked to the ruling establishment facilitated the registration by transferring a sub-registrar from a distant office (Kodaikanal, 60 km away).
Political parties protest
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and leaders such as Dindigul C Sreenivasan accused the administration of shielding the accused.
Hindu organisations, including Hindu Munnani and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, organised fasts and public campaigns, describing it as a 'mega land scam', and questioning how temple property recovered only months earlier could be alienated so swiftly.
DMK leaders criticised contradictions in statements by ministers and alleged a larger conspiracy or benami transaction, warning of court action if the probe falters.
The ruling side has maintained that action is being taken against all involved irrespective of status, that the sub-registrar claimed he acted on a court order without full background knowledge, and that departmental inquiries are underway.
Ministers have denied personal links and filed complaints against those spreading 'false information.'
