Former Palani MLA K.S.N. Venugopalu Senapathi of the AIADMK on Tuesday filed a public interest litigation petition before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court for a CBI probe in the case of fraudulent registration of Palani math land.
The petitioner, who said he had served as a trustee of the Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani from 2004 to 2006, submitted that the case related to the alleged illegal registration, fraudulent alienation, and attempted misappropriation of the extremely valuable immovable property at Palani Adivaram.
The allegations involve fraudulent execution and registration of documents affecting the valuable temple property and serious offences including abuse of official position, conspiracy, and manipulation of public records, he said.
The investigation now rested with the CB-CID, which is under the control of the Tamil Nadu government. Since the allegations themselves extend to Registration Department officials and possibly higher authorities, the investigation by an agency under the control of the State did not inspire public confidence, he said, pointing out that not a single person had been arrested so far.
A CBI investigation alone would ensure independence, transparency and credibility. Unless the probe was entrusted to an agency independent of the State, the truth might never fully emerge, he said.
He also sought a direction to appoint a retired High Court judge to monitor the investigation.
A Division Bench of Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and R. Sakthivel posted the matter to July 30 for hearing.
Palani Municipal chairperson R. Uma Maheshwari Pradeep has also filed a writ petition before the court for a CBI probe.
