The case of ‘missing’ emerald lingam got curious on Saturday as a Central intelligence agency enquired some key persons who had knowledge about it. According to a reliable source, the agency officials had gathered vital inputs from the petitioner, Muthukumar, an advocate, who had approached the High Court in this connection.
It is likely that some retired and serving officials in the Corporation of Madurai will be discreetly questioned in the next couple of days.
Corporation Commissioner R.Nanthagopal had formed a panel of officials to probe the ‘missing’ emerald lingam case, and had appeared in the HC bench on Friday.
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While the enquiry conducted by the Central agency had raised many eyebrows, the CPI(M) district secretary Vikraman demanded Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa’s intervention in the case.
In a press release issued here, he said it was baffling to note that such a precious emerald lingam (maragatham), which was presented by the Kunnathur zamindar over a century ago, went ‘missing’ from the Corporation’s treasury.
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This should not be passed lightly and the truth behind it should be unravelled. When the Kunnathur Chatram was demolished for reconstruction in 2009, the officials had handed over all the precious items to the treasury.
The ‘nonchalant’ attitude of the officials was certainly causing concern among the right-thinking and law-abiding citizens. In public interest, the Chief Minister should directly seek all details, which alone would solve the mystery, Mr. Vikraman stated.