Chennai, July 31:
The City Central Crime Branch (CCB) has intensified its investigation into an alleged fraud involving a trust property worth around ₹60 crore linked to the historic Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and Alagar Kovil in Madurai.
As part of the probe, the CCB has written to revenue authorities in Pudukkottai district seeking detailed information regarding a legal heir certificate that is central to the case. Police have registered a case against 19 individuals, accusing them of conspiring to fraudulently obtain patta transfer and property registration.
According to investigators, one of the accused, Ilayaraja, allegedly acted as a power agent and filed a writ petition before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. The petition sought directions to the Madurai Corporation to conduct a survey and demarcate the boundaries of the disputed property.
Police sources said the petition claimed that the land originally belonged to Dakshinamoorthy Durairaja Pallavarayar, who died in 1930 without legal heirs. Ownership was later asserted through the lineage of Vellaichamy Pallavarayar, identified as a Class-II legal heir who died in 1992.
A legal heir certificate issued in 2023 by the Tahsildar of Karambakudi in Pudukkottai district has emerged as a crucial document supporting these claims. The CCB is now examining the authenticity of this certificate and has requested details about the basis of its issuance, including supporting documents and the nature of the inquiry conducted by revenue officials.
Authorities have also sought copies of all related records, such as applications, revenue documents, and any prior court orders connected to the property. The certificate reportedly names multiple individuals as legal heirs of Vellaichamy Pallavarayar.
In a June 2026 order, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court noted the petitioners’ claim based on the legal heir certificate but did not verify its validity. The court directed officials to carry out a survey of the property, demarcate its boundaries, and issue notices to all stakeholders, including rival claimants and neighbouring landowners.
The court also stipulated that the survey must follow due process and be completed within 12 weeks, adding that police protection could be provided if necessary.
The investigation continues as authorities probe the alleged misuse of legal documentation in securing control over valuable temple-linked land.