CB-CID intensifies probe into encroachment of 64,000 sq. ft. of temple land

The CB-CID has expanded the scope of the probe into the illegal occupation of around 64,000 square feet of two pieces of land owned by Sri Kamatchiammanm Temple after the active involvement of revenue officials and the family of a legislator having business links surfaced in the grabbing of the prime property at Rainbow Nagar.

The CB-CID has expanded the scope of the probe into the illegal occupation of around 64,000 square feet of two pieces of land owned by Kamatchiamman Temple after the active involvement of revenue officials and the family of a legislator having business links surfaced in the grabbing of the prime property at Rainbow Nagar.

With pressure mounting on the police to bring the case to a logical conclusion or to hand it over to the Central Bureau of Investigation, the CB- CID has intensified the probe to identify the role of more revenue officials. 

The probe agency has started gathering scientific evidence, by taking the support of fingerprint and forensic experts, to nab more culprits involved in one of the biggest land scams that has come to light in Puducherry in recent times. The police have so far arrested eight persons, including a Village Administrative Officer Chinnasamy alias Palani in the case. Another revenue official who was involved in the conspiracy died during the course of investigation.

The probe so far found that the officials conspired with other culprits, including one Manoharan of Sabari Educational Society, to create fake documents for the two pieces of land — one extending to about 31,000 sq. ft. and the other measuring 33,000 sq. ft. — some time in 2009. Investigators said the VAO was involved in issuing possession certificate for the land which was later given patta. Prima facie evidence have been collected by way of registration deeds in the name of culprits in violation of the Indian Stamp Act and other registration procedures, police sources said.

“Obviously, there is involvement of a large number of people in various sections of the Revenue Department. It was a deep-rooted conspiracy. There has been collusion in creating fake documents, obtaining possession certificate, issuance of patta and execution of settlement deals. We have also started probing the role of a notary in the whole case,” said a police officer. 

According to a top official, the probe has revealed that the illegally occupied land was purchased by the members of a legislator family. “The matter has been taken up with the government and investigation is on,” the official said. 

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the police have written to the concerned revenue authority to freeze the GLR value of the land (zero value) to avoid multiplicity of litigation. The guideline value of the encroached land was about ₹12 crore and market value around ₹50 crore, said an official.