Idol theft case | SC issues notice to T.N. government seeking SIT probe into disappearance of case files
The Hindu
The advocate has sought a free and fair investigation into the circumstances leading to the files allegedly going missing
The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Tamil Nadu government in a petition seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged disappearance of 41 case files pertaining to idol theft cases from police custody.
A Bench led by Justice V. Ramasubramanian decided to hear the response of the State Home Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Commissioner, and the Additional DGP heading the Idol Theft Wing to the petition filed by advocate Elephant G. Rajendran, represented by advocate G.S. Mani.
Mr. Rajendran has sought a free and fair investigation into the circumstances leading to the files allegedly going missing. He said the probe team should be headed by a senior retired police officer and monitored by the court.
The petitioner’s lawyer, Mr. Mani, submitted that the missing case diary files relate to antique temple idols, precious artifacts, jewels and other properties. The cases concern antiques worth over ₹300 crore, he said.
The petitioner said the State Police has so far made no headway despite directions from the Madras High Court.
He said the files went “missing” as a result of a “serious conspiracy hatched with the help of higher police officers and bureaucracy and the idol mafia.
Mr. Rajendran, in his petition, alleged that some of the police officers involved in the case have reached high positions in the police force, they may “dilute and influence the free and fair investigation” of the case.
Justice G. Jayachandran of the Madras High Court has said that Justice G.R. Swaminathan has exhibited bias against the State police by “showing interest in passing orders hastily without consulting the Bench partner (Justice P.B. Balaji)“ in a habeas corpus petition filed against the preventive detention of YouTuber ‘Savukku’ Shankar alias A. Shankar under the Goondas Act.