Tiruchy, Oct 2:
Tiruchy City Crime Branch police on Thursday arrested DMK Srirangam branch secretary M Ramkumar in connection with an alleged attempt to take over Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple land using forged documents.
According to the police, the land, located on Gandhi Road in Srirangam, measures 7.515 square feet and is valued at around Rs 50 crore. The alleged transaction involving the temple property was carried out in 2022 using documents that were subsequently found to be fabricated, police said.
The matter came to light after the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department examined the records. HR&CE Minister Ramesh reportedly inspected the documents and found irregularities in the registration of the property.
Following this, HR&CE Joint Commissioner Siva Ramkumar lodged a complaint with the City Crime Branch. Police registered a case against Ramkumar and six others, including a sub-registrar.
A Crime Branch team headed by Inspector Shanmugavel arrested Ramkumar at Panjapur on Thursday when he was reportedly on his way to the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
Ramkumar had sought anticipatory bail before the Madurai Bench, but the plea was rejected. He was subsequently arrested and remanded in judicial custody.
The police investigation is continuing into the alleged use of forged documents and the roles of the other accused in the case. The allegations are subject to the ongoing legal proceedings.Congress MP seeks all-party meet on Cauvery