The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has issued an interim stay on the CBI’s further investigation into the case registered against retired IG Pon Manickavel for allegedly assisting international idol smuggler Deenadayalan.
Pon Manickavel, who served as the IG of the Tamil Nadu Idol Wing, retired in 2018. During his tenure, he arrested Deenadayalan, a key figure in international idol smuggling. Based on Deenadayalan’s testimony, Manickavel filed cases against Kadhar Basha, a DSP in Thiruvallur, and Subburaj, a special SI in Koyambedu.
Kadhar Basha approached the Madras High Court, claiming that a false case was filed against him to shield Deenadayalan. The court directed the CBI to investigate and take necessary action if prima facie evidence was found. Following this, the CBI registered a case against Pon Manickavel, and on August 30, 2024, he was granted anticipatory bail by the High Court bench.
Seeking access to the preliminary inquiry report, Pon Manickavel filed a petition in the Madurai Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, but it was dismissed. He then moved the Madurai Bench of the High Court, also filing another petition to quash the CBI case.
Justice P. Pugalendhi, delivering the order, stated:
Pon Manickavel was appointed as a special officer by the Madras High Court to investigate idol smuggling cases.
Under his leadership, the Idol Wing Police recovered several stolen idols.
Before his tenure, there was no structured Idol Wing unit in Tamil Nadu.
The CBI’s preliminary inquiry report lacked substantial evidence to file a case against him.
The CBI failed to submit adequate supporting evidence to the court.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the CBI’s approach, the court ruled that no further investigation should be carried out, and the final report must not be filed until further notice. The case has been postponed to March 17 for the next hearing.
