Muthiah Sthapathi seeks bail

Muthiah Sthapathi, the Chief Sthapathi of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department, filed a petition seeking bail before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday. Justice G.R. Swaminathan adjourned the case to April 26 for further hearing.

Muthiah Sthapathi was arrested by the Idol Wing Police for charges under Section 403 (Dishonest misappropriation of property), Section 409 (Criminal breach of trust by public servant), Section 418 (Cheating), Section 420 (Cheating and dishonesty inducing delivery of property), Section 477 A (Falsification of accounts) and Section 120 B (Criminal conspiracy).

The Idol Wing had alleged that there was a pre meditated common criminal conspiracy to remove the original Moolavar Navabashana idol and replace it with a metal idol in Palani temple. Muthiah Sthapathi was assigned the task of creating a new idol of Dhandayuthapani with different metals along with gold. Devotees contributed the metals, including gold. However, after inspection of the new idol, it was established that the new idol was without the specified quantities of the metals, including gold.

In his petition, he termed the allegations against him as absurd and said that it was common knowledge that the Moolavar idol had weakened and the Justice Sathasivam Committee appointed in 1984 had suggested that abhishekams be performed for the already existing Urchavar panchaloka idol.

A second expert committee, headed by Justice N. Krishnaswamy Reddiar in 1992, had suggested that the Moolvar idol shall remain at the same place as it is and a new idol be installed in front of it, but at a reduced height, to enable devotees see the idol and abhiskekams could be performed for it. In order to safeguard the Moovalar idol, a golden veil (thanga kavaccham) could be provided without blocking the face, he said.

He contended that there was an inordinate delay in registering the FIR in the case.