The long-pending idol irregularity case involving the historic Ekambareswarar Temple has regained momentum, with a chargesheet now filed and trial proceedings underway in the Kanchipuram Criminal Court. The case pertains to the alleged misappropriation of 312 sovereigns of gold collected from devotees for the casting of a new Somaskandar idol.
According to investigation records, the controversy traces back to 2015, when the thousand-year-old Somaskandar idol at the temple was found to be damaged. Following this, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE) decided to commission new idols. Under the supervision of sthapathi Muthaiya, new Somaskandar and Elavarkuzhali Amman idols were cast at Swamimalai.
As per established agamic and administrative norms, five per cent gold was required to be added to the alloy used for casting the idols. Devotees were informed of this requirement, and 312 sovereigns of gold were reportedly collected as donations. However, concerns soon emerged over the process, as devotees alleged that no proper receipts were issued for the gold contributions. Further, the idol-making process was allegedly carried out without mandatory documentation, including video and photographic records, raising serious suspicions about transparency and compliance.
Based on a complaint filed by one person named Annamalai, the Sivakanchi Police registered a case in 2017. The probe was subsequently transferred to the Idol Wing of the Tamil Nadu Police. As part of the investigation, the newly cast idols were subjected to a metallurgical examination by experts from IIT Madras.
The IIT examination reportedly revealed that there was no trace of gold in the idols. Citing this finding, the police stated in the First Information Report that the entire 312 sovereigns of gold collected from devotees had been misappropriated.
Initially, cases were registered against sthapathi Muthaiya, temple executive officer Murugesan, and priest Rajappa. As the investigation progressed, the role of senior officials also came under scrutiny. Former HR&CE Commissioner Veerashanmugamani and Additional Commissioner Kavitha were subsequently named as accused. In total, nine individuals have been arrayed as accused in connection with the alleged irregularities.
After a prolonged period of stagnation, the investigation was revived following directions from the Madras High Court. Acting on these directions, the Sivakanchi Police completed the probe and filed a chargesheet before the Kanchipuram Criminal Court.
A fresh FIR has also been registered, invoking serious charges including forgery under Section 468 of the Indian Penal Code, use of forged documents under Section 471, and theft of temple property under Section 380(2), along with Section 34, which deals with acts committed by multiple persons in furtherance of a common intention.
The idols, which had earlier been kept at Kumbakonam during the course of the investigation, have since been brought back to Kanchipuram and placed in the Ekambareswarar Temple’s security vault.
When the accused appeared before the court, they denied all allegations, contending that the charges were false and motivated. The court has scheduled the next hearing in the case for 6 February 2026.
This is @tnhrcedept – A Department that delights in looting temples
The LOOT of 312 sovereigns of GOLD – i.e. 2.49 Kilos of gold – received from various devotees as donations for casting new Murtis in Sri Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram. The original plan was to… pic.twitter.com/utKBcrmWxE
— trramesh (@trramesh) January 7, 2026
Source: ABP News
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
