Supreme Court issues notice to Tamil Nadu government on bail plea of accused in Palani math land fraud case

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Updated - November 02, 2026 03:28 pm IST - New Delhi

The court had said at the time that the pendency of the special leave petition would “not come in the way of the State continuing the investigation”. | Photo Credit: The Hindu

The Supreme Court on Monday (November 2, 2026) issued notice to the State of Tamil Nadu on a petition filed by K. Vellathurai, one of the accused in a case pertaining to the fraudulent registration of Palani math land, challenging the dismissal of his bail plea by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on August 31, 2026.

A Bench headed by Justice B.V. Nagarathna also issued notice to Mr. Vellathurai on an intervention plea filed by the State.

On September 25, 2026, the Supreme Court had deferred Mr. Vellathurai’s plea for bail on the ground that the investigation was ongoing. The court had said at the time that the pendency of the special leave petition would “not come in the way of the State continuing the investigation”.

In August 2026, the High Court dismissed the bail petitions filed by four accused in the case: suspended Sub-Registrar Justin Manikandan Subramanian; D. Murugadass, who sold the land; and Mr. Vellathurai and D. Sethupathi, the land buyers.

In July 2026, the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) arrested Mr. Murugadass, Mr. Vellathurai, Mr. Sethupathi and S. Anwardeen, who reportedly facilitated the deal. Subsequently, in August 2026, the CB-CID arrested Justin Manikandan Subramanian and Jeyaprakash, a document writer. The case concerns the alleged illegal sale of 1.40 acres of land belonging to Dhandapani Swamy Math in Palani.

Mr. Vellathurai had claimed that he was a bona fide purchaser who had no reason whatsoever to enter into such a land transaction to enrich himself.

Published - November 02, 2026 12:57 pm IST

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