Idol theft: role of eminent astrologer to be investigated

Tantric Unnikrishna Panicker’s advice was sought, says Ponn Manickavel

The role of an eminent astrologer in the swapping of idols from Kapaleeswarar temple will be investigated by Idol Wing CID police soon.

The replacement of three idols —Parvathi in the form of peacok also called ‘Maragatha Mylamman’, Raaghu and Kethu — from the temple came to light last August following an investigation by Idol Wing team led by A.G.Ponn Manickavel after a complaint was recorded against three individuals, archakas and temple officials.

“Eminent astrologer and tantric Unnikrishna Panicker was brought here and he did a

prashnam (prediction).

“Later, Panicker and other people decided that the Maragatha Myilamman idol be removed.

“Witnesses say that there was no need to remove the idols. We will interrogate,” Mr. Manickavel told The Hindu.

Clinching evidence

The Idol Wing CID said in release that TVS Motors chairman Venu Srinivasan, who was a member of the temple renovation committee, ordered the prashnam .

‘Maragatha Myilamman’ is suspected to be exported illegally through Swarnam Exports owned by chief sthapathi Muthiah.

N.Thirumagal, who was the executive officer of the temple, claimed that such event never happened in the temple, but the police said they had a clinching evidence.

“All those involved in the offence will be interrogated in the case,” said Mr. Manickavel.

The case was taken up for investigation 14 years after the alleged offence was committed. The investigation revealed that she destroyed the records relating to swapping the idols without following the relevant rules. Dismissing her claim that she had never been to Punnaivananathar temple inside the Mylapore temple, the police claimed to have seized a clinching video recording which showed Ms. Thirumagal supervising the ‘kumbabhishekam’ in the temple which is located less than 100 feet from the office of executive officer where she was working for nearly six years.

The hereditary archakas of the temple opposed the replacement of idols. Ms. Thirumagal and then HR and CE commissioner Dhanapal threatened archakas that their rights to perform pooja would be revoked. When the hereditary archakas boycotted the kumbabhishekam, the officials brought archakas from other places and performed it against ‘agamic’ rituals and rules.

“All those involved in the offence will be interrogated in the case,” said Mr. Manickavel. The Madras High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Mr. Srinivasan, Mr. Dhanapal and Mr. Muthiah