S. Anwardeen, a 65-year-old advocate arrested by the CB-CID in connection with an alleged ₹100-crore land scam involving property belonging to the Palani Temple, died late Friday night after developing serious health complications while in custody, as reported in The New Indian Express.
Anwardeen, a resident of Palani, was among those accused of allegedly facilitating the fraudulent registration and sale of 1.40 acres of prime land belonging to the Dhandayuthapani Swamigal Mutt under the control of the Palani Temple. The property is reportedly valued at around ₹100 crore.
He had been arrested in connection with the case and remanded to judicial custody at Madurai Central Prison on July 29. The CB-CID, which is investigating the case, subsequently obtained his custody for three days from August 6 for questioning.
Anwardeen was reportedly suffering from paralysis and had been staying in the prison hospital since his admission. He was also undergoing treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure and had been provided a wheelchair.
His three-day CB-CID custody ended on Friday, August 7. He was brought back to Madurai Central Prison at around 6 pm and was admitted to the prison hospital as part of his ongoing medical treatment.
At around 9.30 pm, he reportedly developed severe chest pain and cardiac complications. He was taken to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai at around 10 pm. He died at approximately 10.40 pm while being taken for treatment.
Prison officials informed the Karimedu police station about the death. According to officials, the death was suspected to have resulted from complications arising from his existing health conditions.
A case will be registered in connection with the custodial death and a post-mortem examination will be conducted, prison department sources said.
Earlier on Friday, a Judicial Magistrate had dismissed Anwardeen’s bail petition.
The case was initially registered by the Palani Adivaram police following a complaint from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department over the alleged fraudulent registration of temple-controlled land. The investigation was subsequently transferred to the CB-CID.
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