Illegal property registration tied to Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple trust spurred police to file an FIR against 19 people. This comes after a complaint from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department exposed fraudulent entries from 2021.
Ramesh, HR&CE Minister,said Monday that the properties span 1.79 acres with a guideline value between ₹20 crore and ₹30 crore. Market value could hit ₹60 crore. K. Chelladurai,temple's Executive Officer, lodged the complaint,actively protecting temple assets.
The trust,set up in 1930 as Pudukottai Rajakumarar Dakshinamurthy Durairaja Durairani Trust, manages properties like Ashoka Vilas bungalow and garden on Alagarkoil Road in Madurai. These are for rent only, no sale or mortgage allowed.
Minister Ramesh said anti-corruption group Arappor Iyakkam flagged suspicious activities involving trust assets meant for temple services, like offerings to Goddess Meenakshi and Kallalagar Temple rituals .
In a troubling twist,title to another property on Hakkeem Ajamalkhan Road was transferred without proper authorization by Tahsildar of Madurai North on June 24, 2016, leading to suspension of Village Administrative Officer (VAO) and action against Tahsildar. Case now with Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).
After these events, appeal to Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) in Madurai annulled Tahsildar's order,restoring title to temple. But a March 22, 2021 Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court petition led to interim stay.
Despite HR&CE orders to stop temple property registration, ownership transfer attempts continued. Major attempt at Thirumayam Sub-Registrar’s Office stopped by temple objections. But fraudulent pattas led to registration at Murappanadu Sub-Registrar’s Office in Tirunelveli on April 4,2021.
In light of these events,Executive Officer called for action against revenue officials who failed to inform temple authorities about unauthorized registration. Investigation ongoing to reclaim trust's properties.
