Chennai: The Madras high court has directed AG Pon Manickavel, IG, Special Idol Wing, to file reply on a bail petition filed by the Additional Commissioner, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department M. Kavitha, arrested on Tuesday in connection with the alleged misappropriation in making a gold idol of Lord Somaskandar for the ancient Ekambaranathar temple in Kancheepuram district.
A day after she was arrested by the special wing, she has approached the Madras high court seeking bail. On July 31, Kavitha was arrested by the inspector of police, Sivakanchi police station of Kancheepuram on a complaint from S Annamalai with regard to making of two new 'Panchaloha' idols for Sri Ekambaranatha temple in Kancheepuram. Along with others she had been accused of 'misappropriation' gold obtained from devotees and philanthropists for making Lord Somaskandar's idol. The idol wing police found that the misappropriation happened during the consecration of the idol and that there was not even a gram of gold in the idol, which was supposed to contain at least 5.75 kg gold.
When the matter came up for hearing before the special Division Bench comprising Justice R. Mahadevan and Justice P.D Audikesavalu, on Friday, the counsel for the petitioner submitted Kavitha was arrested hurriedly in a case registered more than a year ago. There was no material to show that she had committed the offence.
The bench asked Pon Manickavel whether he has any material to show that she committed the offence. Pon Manickavel submitted that he has clinching evidence against her and all the materials were submitted before magistrate court, Kumbakonam, which has been conducting trial in the idol theft cases. He wished to disclose the evidences only before the bench and file an affidavit. The bench also asked him why she was arrested without serving summon.
Meanwhile, counsel for the petitioner sought interim bail. Later, the bench directed Pon Manickavel to file the evidences against Kavitha on August 6 and adjourned the matter.
