MADURAI
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of P. Dhanapal, former HR & CE Commissioner who is wanted by the Idol Wing police in the Palani idol case.
Justice T. Krishnavalli, who had earlier reserved her order, dismissed the petition. Mr. Dhanapal moved the court seeking anticipatory bail after the Idol Wing police, led by Inspector General of Police A.G. Pon Manickavel, issued summons to him. But he failed to respond to the summons served at his houses in Chennai and Pudukottai, his native place.
In his plea, the former official claimed that the Idol Wing had registered a case against six persons, including him and Muthiah Sthapathi, after 14 years. The allegations were based on presumptions and assumptions.
The case against the petitioner was filed under Sections 403 (Dishonest misappropriation of property), 409 (Criminal breach of trust by public servant), 418 (Cheating), 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 120-B (Punishment for criminal conspiracy) and 477 A (Falsification of accounts) of the Indian Penal Code.
So far, the Idol Wing has arrested four persons in the case pertaining to the alleged conspiracy to replace the main idol of Sri Dandayuthapaniswamy Temple in Palani in 2004.
