Police Launch Probe Into Fraudulent Transfer of ₹60 Crore Madurai Temple Land
Authorities filed an FIR against 19 individuals following the illegal registration of properties belonging to a trust serving the Meenakshi Amman Temple. The disputed 1.79-acre land, valued at approximately ₹60 crore, was allegedly sold despite legal restrictions and department warnings.
HR&CE Department Moves to Recover Contested Assets
In a significant legal intervention, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has initiated criminal proceedings against 19 individuals linked to the unauthorized registration of properties dedicated to the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple and Alagarkoil. Minister for HR&CE, Ramesh, confirmed on July 27, 2026, that the assets in question span 1.79 acres. While the official guideline value sits between ₹20 crore and ₹30 crore, current market estimates place the worth of the land at roughly ₹60 crore.
The investigation centers on the Pudukottai Rajakumarar Dakshinamurthy Durairaja Durairani Trust, established in 1930. The trust's holdings on Alagarkoil Road include a garden and a residence known as Ashoka Vilas. Legal stipulations governing the trust permit the rental of these lands to fund religious services, yet strictly prohibit their mortgage or sale. These revenues traditionally support specific rituals, such as the daily curd rice offerings to Goddess Meenakshi, distributions to devotees, and ceremonies at the Kallalagar Temple.
Tactics of the Illegal Transfer
The alleged fraud involves a series of administrative maneuvers and jurisdictional shifts. According to the complaint filed by K. Chelladurai, Executive Officer of the Meenakshi Amman Temple, the process began on June 24, 2016, when the Madurai North Tahsildar unilaterally transferred the title of the property on Hakkeem Ajamalkhan Road to nine individuals. This action led to the suspension of a Village Administrative Officer and a referral to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).
- Administrative Overrule: A Revenue Divisional Officer eventually set aside the Tahsildar’s order, directing that the patta be restored to the temple.
- Jurisdictional Evasion: Despite formal HR&CE objections and an interim stay from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court in March 2021, the suspects sought registration in different districts.
- Final Transaction: After being blocked at the Thirumayam Sub-Registrar’s Office, the group successfully registered the land at the Murappanadu Sub-Registrar’s Office in Tirunelveli on April 4, 2021.
Accountability for Officials and Conspirators
The anti-corruption group Arappor Iyakkam originally flagged the discrepancies to the Ministry. Minister Ramesh stated that the government intends to utilize all legal avenues to reclaim the assets. The FIR targets both the private individuals involved in the suspected conspiracy and revenue officials who allegedly facilitated the transaction by failing to notify temple authorities. The temple administration maintains that the Sokkikulam Sub-Registrar and Madurai District Registrar had been formally cautioned against such transfers prior to the illegal activity.
Source: The Hindu — National
