8 hrs ago
DMK Leader Named in Alleged Tiruchirappalli Temple Land Scam
Police in Tiruchirappalli have opened a case about land owned by a temple.
They named DMK local leader M Ramkumar and five others as accused.
The land measures 7,515 square feet.
Officials allege that documents were forged to register the land in 2022.
Several sale deeds were later made for parts or shares of the same property.
The temple says it has proof that it owns the land.
Minister S Ramesh accused Ramkumar and suggested that other officials may also be involved.
Ramkumar denies the allegations and says the issue is already being considered by a court.
Police booked DMK functionary M Ramkumar and five others over alleged fraud involving temple land.
The complaint alleges that 7,515 square feet belonging to Arulmigu Aranganatha Swamy Temple was transferred using forged documents.
The disputed land was allegedly registered to Ramkumar in 2022 through multiple sale deeds valued at Rs 2.9 crore.
Tamil Nadu minister S Ramesh alleged that the DMK poll camp office operates on the disputed land and suggested wider official involvement.
Ramkumar denied the allegations and said a related case is pending before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
- Who
- Police named DMK functionary M Ramkumar, five others, and the then Srirangam sub-registrar in the case; the complaint was filed by temple Joint Commissioner Sivaramakumar.
- What
- A case was registered over the alleged fraudulent transfer and registration of 7,515 square feet of temple-owned land.
- Where
- The land is in Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, and belongs to Arulmigu Aranganatha Swamy Temple.
- When
- The disputed registration occurred on December 5, 2022; subsequent sale deeds were registered on December 7, 2022, and January 19, 2023.
- Why
- The complaint alleges that forged documents and claimed ownership were used to transfer temple land to a DMK functionary.
Authorities' allegations
Ramkumar's response
Whether the land was illegally transferred
Authorities' allegations
The temple complaint and minister S Ramesh allege that temple land was registered to Ramkumar using forged documents despite records recognizing the temple's ownership.
Ramkumar's response
Ramkumar denied the allegations and said the matter is already pending before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
Possible wider involvement
Authorities' allegations
Minister S Ramesh alleged that the DMK poll camp office operates on the disputed land and suggested that a former HR&CE minister and other officials may have been involved.
Ramkumar's response
The provided report does not include a detailed response from Ramkumar to the minister's broader allegations.
Key facts
- Land involved
- 7,515 square feet under Survey Number 762
- Temple ownership
- The land is alleged to belong to Arulmigu Aranganatha Swamy Temple, which owns a total of 5 acres and 87 cents in the cited area.
- Registration date
- December 5, 2022
- Sale deed values
- The FIR says three sale deeds were valued at a combined Rs 2.9 crore.
- Accused
- M Ramkumar and five others, including the then Srirangam sub-registrar
- Complainant
- Sivaramakumar, Joint Commissioner of the temple management
- Response
- Ramkumar denied the allegations and cited a pending case before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
Quotes
S Ramesh
Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister
“On various occasions, title deed number 1027 was declared as temple land. Even in 2023, when some people claimed ownership in court, it was not acknowledged, as there are proper proofs of the temple's ownership. However, the disputed land with forged documents was registered to DMK Srirangam functionary Ramkumar.”
NDTV
Sources
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