Inspector General of Police A.G. Ponn Manickavel, heading the Idol Wing CID, on Thursday told the Madras High Court that as many as nine Executive Officers of various temples in the State were under the scanner for their alleged role in the theft of ancient idols, and yet, his team had no intention of arresting them immediately.
The submission was made before Justices R. Mahadevan and P. D. Audikesavalu during the hearing of an anticipatory bail petition filed by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department Additional Commissioner (general) N. Thirumagal in a case related to theft of an idol from the Kapaleeswarar Temple at Mylapore here.
The Inspector-General told the judges that he did not plan to arrest the petitioner for the next six weeks since he required that time to investigate the case and find out the veracity of the charges made against her.
Nod from court
Mr. Manickavel added that if a need arises to arrest her before six weeks, he would do so only after obtaining necessary permission from the Division Bench.
After recording his submission, the judges adjourned the advance bail application by six weeks.
In the petition, Ms. Thirumagal feigned ignorance about the allegation of swapping of an idol at the Kapaleeswarar Temple and contended that she was actually instrumental in augmenting the revenue of the temple by recovering its properties from encroachers.
