Srirangam temple land allegedly encroached for DMK office

Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister S Ramesh has announced an investigation into the alleged encroachment of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple land in Srirangam. The disputed property, valued at approximately Rs 50 crore, is reportedly being used as a DMK party office.

According to the Minister, historical records from 1866, 1910, and 1930 confirm the land belonged to the temple. It is alleged that a DMK area secretary used forged documents in 2022 to transfer the property into his name without valid title deeds. An FIR has been registered following a complaint by the temple administration, and police investigations are currently underway.

Minister Ramesh stated that the investigation will look into whether department officials were complicit in the fraud. He has also urged the public and the spiritual community to provide documentary evidence of any other temple property encroachments that may have occurred during the previous administration.