Special idol wing intensifies its investigation

Palani

A special idol wing on Sunday came to the temple town for the fourth time to intensify its investigation in connection with alleged conspiracy behind an attempt to replace the main idol of the Sri Dhandayuthapaniswamy Temple in Palani 14 years ago.

Led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Karunakaran, the team interrogated witnesses and those who passed information confidentially about the issue during its previous visit to the town.

The team met them personally in their own places, gathered information and collected evidence. The team had already spoken to retired temple staff and Gurukkals who worked in the temple at that time. The investigation would continue, the sources added.

The team was also in search of former HR&CE Commissioner P. Dhanabal in this connection. Summons had been served to his residential address in Pudukottai and Chennai to appear before the team in Palani.

But he did not respond to the summons. Meanwhile, Dhanabal applied for anticipatory bail for him in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

Four persons — HR&CE former Assistant Commissioner Pugazhendi of Ayakudi near Palani and HR&CE headquarters Jewels Assessment Officer Deivendran of Chennai, Sthapathi M. Muthiah and former HR&CE Joint Commissioner K.K. Raja — were arrested so far.

The 200-kg panchaloha idol of Lord Muruga was installed in the ‘garbagraham’ of Sri Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple on January 25, 2004, and removed on June 7, 2004.

Later, the case was transferred to the CBCID on April 2. But the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on April 26 had barred the CBCID from probing the case and asked the Idol Wing, which had investigated the case initially, to continue its probe.