Chennai: The state government informed the Madras high court that it has taken a policy decision to transfer all idol theft cases to the CBI as the special wing investigating thefts of idols was not performing satisfactorily and had not even filed a single report to government on the progress of investigation.
When a petition from Rangarajan Narasimhan with regard to theft of doors and idols at the famous Sriranganathar temple, Srirangam, came up for hearing before the Special Bench comprising Justices R. Mahadevan and P.D Audikesavulu on Wednesday, additional advocate general PH Arvind Pandiyan informed the court that state government has taken a policy decision to transfer all idol theft cases to the CBI. According to him, the decision was taken since the idol wing team headed by IG Pon Manickvel was not performing satisfactorily and had not filed even a single report to government over the progress of idol theft cases. Advocate Elephant Rajendran said that he would oppose handing over cases to the CBI. However, the bench said, “Let government pass the order first.”
After directing the AAG to submit documents pertaining to the policy decision taken by government, the bench directed Pon Manickavel to file the status report of cases and posted the matter to August 8 for further hearing.
The matter pertains to a batch of pleas including one moved by advocate Elephant Rajendran, seeking a direction to the state to prevent idol thefts and take appropriate steps to recover stolen idols. After the interference of the court, Pon Manickvel, who was transferred from the idol wing police, was reinstated in the wing and his transfer order quashed. It may be noted that on June 27, Justice R. Mahadevan had made it clear that no one should interfere in the investigation being conducted by the wing headed by Pon Manickavel. Recently, the court constituted a special bench to exclusively hear the idol theft cases.
The matter pertains to a batch of pleas including one moved by advocate Elephant Rajendran, seeking a direction to the state to prevent idol thefts and take appropriate steps to recover stolen idols.
After the interference of the court, Pon Manickvel, who was transferred from the idol wing police, was reinstated in the wing and his transfer order quashed.
It may be noted that on June 27, Justice R. Mahadevan had made it clear that no one should interfere in the investigation being conducted by the wing headed by Pon Manickavel.
Recently, the court constituted a special bench to exclusively hear the idol theft cases.
