Petition in Madras HC supports TN govt move to transfer idol theft cases to CBI
Chennai: A petition has been filed in the Madras high court supporting the recent state government move to transfer the idol theft cases to CBI. In the petition jointly filed by Tamil Nadu Temple Executive Officers Federation, Chennai, represented by its secretary K. Arut Selvan and another Kamaraj an executive officer of Pasupatheeswarar temple of Pandhanallur, they sought to implead them as party in the matter.
The impleading petition filed before the Special Division Bench comprising Justice R. Mahadevan and Justice PD Audikesavalu, which is hearing idol theft cases.
Stating that suspecting every other government /board servant is avoidable the petitioners said that there are innumerable members of society who maintain high rectitude and get honor to their positions just as IG Ponmanickavel who is appreciated to be of impeccable character.
While referring to the government's decision to handover the investigation to CBI in their petition they said "It is the discretion of the government to entrust the matter to any agency. This power cannot be interdicted at the instance of the writ petitioner.
The court is also concerned with the culprit being apprehended and it is not a legal requirement of demanding any particular officer to handle the subject. It would be unsafe to suspect every other policemen and agency and assume that only Idol Wing Chief, IG AG Ponmanickavel is capable of discharging his duty. It would send a wrong signal to the entire police force as well as their investigating skills are doubtful or deficient and only a selected a few are capable of handling the work. To stall the investigation to be conducted through CBI and that too at the instance of the writ petitioner is wholly misconceived.
The state government by an order dated August 1, 2018 had transferred all the pending investigation cases and future cases of Idol theft to CBI. The matter would come up for hearing before the special bench on August 24.
