# Tamil Nadu temple & mutt land fraud probe continues > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/tamil-nadu-government-court-challenges-over-temple-rituals > Updated: 2026-08-05T16:08:09.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 8. The probe into the illegal registration of a 1.4‑acre parcel belonging to the Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy Mutt, valued at about ₹100 crore, has intensified. In June, the Tamil Nadu government filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court challenging a Madras High Court order that allowed the Karthigai Deepam lamp ceremony on a hill near a dargah, and the state also assured that 58.76 acres of land around the Palani temple would be purchased in the temple’s name, reversing an earlier HR&CE‑funded acquisition. On 13 July, the HR&CE Department issued an order removing registration restrictions on 3,084.95 acres linked to four temples in Karur district, prompting Hindu organisations to demand a judicial panel over fears of a ₹25,000 crore land transfer. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on 14 July set aside the fraudulent registration of the Palani parcel, suspended sub‑registrar Justin Manikandan and ordered a CB‑CID inquiry. CB‑CID raids on 16 July seized documents and bank records from the sub‑registrar, purchasers and trust members; a three‑member high‑level committee was formed. A high‑level committee of the Registration Department and Crime Branch CID began formal inquiries on 20 July, suspending the district registrar and granting interim bail to Manikandan until 4 August. AIADMK announced a protest for 25 July and, together with the Palani municipality chairman, demanded a CBI probe, reiterating that the land was sold for ₹2 crore using forged documents. On 5 August, CB‑CID arrested the suspended sub‑registrar Manikandan after his bail petition was rejected, and the court scheduled further hearings on a possible transfer of the case to the CBI. ## Claims - Justin Manikandan, the Palani sub‑registrar, was suspended and is under investigation for involvement in the fraud. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court directed the CB‑CID to submit a comprehensive status report on the Palani Mutt land scam investigation. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the Palani Mutt land fraud. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Eighty‑four witnesses have been examined by investigators. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The next hearing on the petitions was adjourned to August 5. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Forged documents were used on July 6 to register a 1.66‑acre plot valued at about Rs 60 crore to private individuals. (single source) - Petitioners, including former MLA K. S. N. Venugopalu and municipality chairperson R. Uma Maheshwari Pradeep, sought a transfer of the probe to the CBI. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-05: Tamil Nadu Sub‑Registrar Justin Manikandan Arrested in Rs 100‑crore Palani Temple Land Fraud CB‑CID arrested suspended sub‑registrar Justin Manikandan for fraudulently registering Rs 100 crore of Palani temple land; Madras High Court later denied his bail, and a CBI probe is being sought. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madras-high-court-dismisses-bail-for-subregistrar-in-rs-100crore-land-fraud-case ### 2026-07-29: Palani Mutt Land Scam: Court Orders CB‑CID Report, Multiple Arrests Madras High Court ordered CB‑CID to report on the Palani Mutt land scam; four arrests, 84 witnesses, and a petition for a CBI probe were noted, with hearings set for Aug 5. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palani-temple-100-crore-land-fraud-case-sees-four-arrests ### 2026-07-23: Palani Mutt land dispute prompts AIADMK protest and CBI probe demand AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami called a July 25 protest in Palani demanding a CBI probe into a Rs 100 crore land grab of the Palani Mutt, while the municipal chairman has petitioned the Madras High Court, 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palani-mutt-land-dispute-prompts-aiadmk-protest-and-cbi-probe-demand ### 2026-07-20: Investigation Launched into Rs 100 Crore Palani Temple Land Fraud Tamil Nadu authorities and the CID probe a Rs 100 crore land fraud at Palani Temple, alleging officials colluded to register 1.4 acres for Rs 2 crore; CPI(M) demands an impartial investigation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/investigation-launched-into-rs-100-crore-palani-temple-land-fraud ### 2026-07-16: Palani Temple Land Fraud Probe Escalates Amid Political Outcry A Rs 100 crore Palani temple land sale was fraudulently registered for ₹2 crore; the High Court nullified it, suspended officials, and CB‑CID intensified raids while political parties demand a CBI probe. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tamil-nadu-cbcid-probes-rs-100-crore-land-fraud-at-palani-dhandayuthapani-swamy-mutt ### 2026-07-14: Madras High Court invalidates Rs 100 crore Palani temple land registration Madras High Court cancels the illegal registration of ₹100 crore Palani temple land, suspends the sub‑registrar and triggers a police and CB‑CID investigation amid political controversy. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palani-temple-land-fraud-triggers-registrars-dismissal-and-police-probe-in-tamil-nadu ### 2026-07-13: Tamil Nadu Karur Temple Land Controversy Escalates Tamil Nadu’s HR&CE lifted registration bans on 3,084 acres of Karur temple land, sparking activist calls for a Madras High Court panel amid concerns over ₹25,000 crore land value and political motives. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tamil-nadu-karur-temple-land-controversy-escalates ### 2026-06-23: Tamil Nadu government challenges court orders on temple land and Karthigai Deepam ritual Tamil Nadu government appealed a court order allowing Karthigai Deepam lighting at a Madurai hill shrine and assured that land around Palani temple will be bought in the temple’s name, not the HR&CE department. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tamil-nadu-government-challenges-court-orders-on-temple-land-and-karthigai-deepam-ritual --- Cite as: Tamil Nadu temple & mutt land fraud probe continues. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/tamil-nadu-government-court-challenges-over-temple-rituals