AG Ponn Manickavel, the former IG of the idol wing unit, has called for the dissolution of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE), accusing it of neglecting temples across Tamil Nadu. He praised Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai’s suggestion that the HR&CE relinquish control of the temples, calling it a “great idea” and adding that Annamalai deserves a significant majority for this initiative in upcoming elections.

"அண்ணாமலைக்கு மெஜாரிட்டி கிடைக்க வேண்டும்"#annamalai #tnbjp #elections2026 #ponmanikkavel #chanakyaa

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During his visit to the Bragathambal Temple in Pudukkottai, Ponn Manickavel told reporters that the ruling government is responsible for the deteriorating state of many temples, noting that the Tamil Nadu government has failed to properly maintain and renovate them. He also questioned why Chief Minister Stalin, who is reportedly unwilling to enter temples, is overseeing their management.

Manickavel criticized the HR&CE Department for its inability to properly care for the temples, suggesting that a separate majority should support the idea of removing the department from temple management. He pointed out that many ancient temples in Tamil Nadu are being neglected, with valuable sculptures left unprotected and regular worship not being conducted.

He further highlighted that while the HR&CE Department collects over ₹656 crore annually from temple taxes, it has not ensured the proper upkeep of these temples. In contrast, the Central Government allocates ₹1,308 crore annually to maintain 3,579 historical sites across the country, but even these temples often suffer from poor maintenance. Some temples lack basic amenities like electricity and doors, he added.

Manickavel proposed that the HR&CE Department should be disbanded and that the HR&CE Act should be amended. He suggested the creation of organizations like Mahasabha to take over the management of temples. Noting that there are around 38,000 temples in Tamil Nadu under the Endowments Department, he criticized the Chief Minister for not visiting a single temple. He urged political parties seeking to hold the Chief Minister’s position to push for changes in temple management.

He also expressed his intention to unite Hindu organizations to protect the temples, consult with them, and plan the next steps. Finally, he suggested that the State Archaeological Department should focus on reconstructing temples while preserving their original structures, with the Endowments Department’s role limited to performing the Kumbabhishekam rituals.

(With inputs fFrom Hindu Tamil)

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Former Idol Wing IG Ponn Manickavel visited the ancient Puradhana Vaneswarar Temple, a ancient Shiva temple located in Thiruchitrambalam, Thanjavur district, to perform darshan at the request of local villagers and Om Namachivaya devotees. Following his visit, he engaged with the assembled villagers and devotees, discussing various aspects of the temple’s activities.

Later, in a media interaction, Manickavel revealed that the Sivagami Amman Panchaloha idol from the Puradhana Vaneswarar temple had been stolen 20 years ago. Speaking to reporters, Manickavel clarified, “They say the main deity is Periyanayaki and other names, but according to the inscriptions, the temple’s main deity is Thiruchitrambalamudaya Mahadevar, a Tamil name, not Eshwarar or Shiva, which are names in northern languages. Parvathy is also a word from the north, but no one knows it; only Sivagami Amman is ours, and let it be. In total, we have stated the temple and the deity’s name. Next to say the ancientness the temple is a 1374-year-old temple.”

He then noted that a Lingōdbhavar, located behind the Garbhagriha, suggests that the temple dates back to the era of Aditya Chola I, the son of Vijayalaya Chola. Additionally, he mentioned that inscriptions from the Rajaraja Chola period, his son Rajendra Chola’s period, and later from the Vijayanagar period, specifically from ruler Venkatapathi, are also present in the temple. Manickavel explained that he visited the temple at the villagers’ request due to concerns about the lost Sivagami Amman idol, which was stolen 20 years ago, and discussed a petition related to its recovery.

Speaking about the idol, Manickavel said, “The deity’s name is Sivagama Sundari, and she is currently in a foreign country, specifically displayed in a private museum as an exhibit to generate revenue. The museum is now planning to auction the idol. We need to bring it back, and that’s why I came here after being informed about the situation.”

Manickavel further addressed the petition, revealing that the Sivagami Amman idol was stolen more than 20 years ago. He accused the HR&CE of concealing details from the court, explaining that it was their responsibility to report the theft. He emphasized that it is the police’s duty to arrest those responsible if an offense is involved. However, he noted, no officers were reprimanded. Instead, he claimed that efforts to hold them accountable are met with criticism and attempts to silence him.

He then ridiculed the recent criticisms aimed at him, mockingly asserted, “It’s okay if you bite like a dog, but you bite like a fox. It doesn’t matter if you bite like a fox, dog, or even a lion, I will not give up my work. I will be engaged with it until I die.” 

He explained that the idol is currently on display in a private museum in New York State, USA, after being transported from Mumbai. The museum exhibits the statue daily and is now preparing to auction it. Hence, Manickavel urged the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to act swiftly to retrieve the ₹10 crore idol within the next three months. He warned that, if necessary steps are not taken, he would pursue legal action with the support of the local community to recover the stolen artifact. He also noted that there had been three previous instances where various idols were stolen and later recovered.

"நரி இல்ல, நாய் இல்ல, சிங்கம் மாறி குதறினாலும் சாகும் வரை போராடுவேன்" பொன்மாணிக்கவேல் உறுதி#Thanjavur #PonnManickavel #ExPoliceOfficer #NewsTamil #Newstamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/EolDtRoslN

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Madras HC dealt a significant setback to former IGP Ponn Manickavel by postponing his anticipatory bail plea in a CBI case probing him in an idol smuggling case. Meanwhile, supporters of Manickavel, including retired police officer R. Varadharajan, have rallied behind him, praising his integrity and dedication to duty.

Court Rejects Anticipatory Bail

On 28 August 2024, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court postponed the anticipatory bail petition of AG Ponn Manickavel, the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Idol Wing, in response to a case filed against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy was presiding over the case. The FIR indicates that the CBI in Delhi initiated the investigation following a Madras High Court directive for a preliminary inquiry into allegations against Manickavel. The accusations involve Manickavel allegedly falsifying documents, acting to protect idol smuggler Subhash Kapoor, and wrongfully implicating I Kader Batcha, the petitioner and former deputy superintendent of police, in a criminal case.

Manickavel’s lawyer argued that the CBI lacked the authority to pursue the complaint since the court had explicitly directed the investigation to be led by an officer no lower than the rank of DIG appointed by the CBI director. The lawyer contended that the FIR did not reference any report from the designated officer, and the FIR was registered by a superintendent of police, with an additional superintendent of police assigned to the investigation. The lawyer also claimed that the trial court must review the officer’s report to decide whether an FIR should be registered. Consequently, Manickavel’s legal team argued that the search and seizure operations at his residence were unlawful and malicious.

Ponn Manickavel’s Path Of Integrity: An Insider’s Perspective

What’s the latest case involving former IGP Manickavel? Several negative narratives have been against him since the CBI started the probe. His supporters, however, question whether there’s a witch hunt against him. The CBI appears determined to arrest Manickavel based on accusations from Kader Batcha, a former DSP previously apprehended by Manickavel for smuggling temple idols.

R. Varadharajan, a retired police officer and practising advocate, sheds light on the matter. Speaking to a YouTube channel, he references a Supreme Court ruling from the Lalit Kumar case, stipulating that any complaint should initiate an FIR, followed by an investigation. If the offence is substantiated, the case should proceed; otherwise, the FIR should be dismissed. In this context, the CBI is pursuing Kader Batcha’s complaint as per a Madras High Court directive. Therefore, the probe is not unusual; it follows a standard procedure.

Varadharajan describes Ponn Manickavel as a straightforward and stringent officer known for his strict adherence to duty. Although this earned him a negative reputation within the department, the public held him in high regard. Varadharajan reminisces about the MGR-era system, which required officers to conduct grievance camps. While this system faded after MGR’s death, Manickavel was the only officer who continued this practice until retirement.

Varadharajan also recounted an incident involving Manickavel’s integrity. A senior officer was accused of illegally allocating government plots to IPS and IAS officers. This senior officer took land from Manapakkam, and when a landowner resisted selling the land under duress, the senior officer instructed his subordinates to forcibly take the landowner to Nandabakkam station and have him beaten up. The next day, the landowner died by suicide, leaving a letter naming the senior officer as responsible for his death.

As the Superintendent of Police, Manickavel visited the scene, discovered the letter, and ordered the senior officer arrested. Varadharajan noted that this led to a conflict, with the senior officer appealing to the DGP for intervention. Despite the DGP’s pleas, Manickavel firmly refused to intervene, standing steadfastly with the principles of justice and the public interest.

Retired police officer R. Varadharajan stated that Manickavel was assigned to the Idol Wing, a department often given to suspended or discredited officers, or those who requested it due to personal issues. However, former CM J. Jayalalitha allocated the position to Manickavel at the request of a senior officer. Despite the challenging circumstances, Manickavel tackled cases with determination, leading to conflicts with businessmen, politicians, and the DGP. Varadharajan questioned, “Is this the fate of an honest officer?”

He then recounted Manickavel’s actions in the Idol Wing. When an idol went missing from the Kapaleeshwarar temple, there was news that it was in someone’s home before the Kumbhabishekam. Manickavel, despite being a police officer and the businessman being wealthy and a devoted follower, pursued the case diligently.

Varadharajan said, “An idol was lost in Kabaleeshwarar temple. Immediately, if you ask what did he do? There was news that before the Kumbhabisekam, the idol was in someone’s home. Manickavel, a police officer, and the someone was very wealthy. However, the wealthy man was also a good man and devout. But you should not take the idol from the temple and keep it in your house it is against the law, and we can arrest the person immediately, so when the idol is lost, the alleged should be responsible, right? Manickavel went to arrest him. Edappadi Palaniswami was supporting the wealthy man and asked Manickavel not to arrest the wealthy man when he was the chief minister. The DGP also told him not to arrest, but Manickavel didn’t listen. Now what? He developed hostility with the wealthy people, the DGP, and there were two smugglers involved called Subash Chandra Kapoor and Deenadayalan.” He also arrested a woman Joint Commissioner from the HR&CE department, accusing her of being involved and responsible for the issue.

Former cop Varadharajan also emphasized Ponn Manickavel’s remarkable dedication to his duties. Despite being denied a vehicle by higher officers, Manickavel took an auto-rickshaw to seize a smuggled idol while still on duty. Varadharajan asserts that Manickavel was well-regarded during Jayalalitha’s tenure due to his straightforwardness. He recounts an incident where, at 2 AM, Manickavel stopped an ADMK party member for speeding. The party member flaunted his political connections and drove off, but the next day, Jayalalitha suspended the functionary.

In another incident, Varadharajan recalled how Ponn Manickavel intervened when he learned from ADMK’s Sasikala that a Sub-Inspector had kidnapped someone over a financial dispute. Manickavel, acting undercover, apprehended the SI in his own quarters and initiated a case against him. He also physically assaulted the SI with a baton in the office, which led to criticism and a tarnished reputation within the police force. Varadharajan recalls that while Manickavel faced opposition and rumors, this incident highlighted his commitment to honesty, revealing the SI’s misconduct.

Varadharajan further noted that Manickavel’s dedication to duty transcended religious boundaries. He recounted an incident where a Muslim officer sought to marry another woman according to Islamic law, but the officer’s wife requested assistance. Manickavel intervened, threatening the officer with dismissal based on moral grounds, and successfully reunited the family by prioritizing ethics over strict legalities.

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The post Fmr Idol Wing IG Manickavel’s Anticipatory Bail Postponed: A Deep Dive Into His Illustrious Career, Varadharajan Vouches For His Integrity appeared first on The Commune.

With the slogan ‘Protect the temple and reclaim its rights,’ a spiritual gathering of various organizations in Trichy convened at Sri Sumangali Mahal in Trichy Thiruvanaikoil Vibhuti Prakaram. Former Inspector General of Police Ponn Manickavel took part in the event and delivered a special address focusing on safeguarding temple assets.

In a prior interaction with the media, Manickavel emphasized that the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments department should solely handle administrative tasks. He said that it was not acceptable to say that they perform Kumbhabhishekam for six thousand temples and making excuses for not recovering lost idols. Manickavel stated, “If asked, they say we performed Kumbabhishekam to six thousand temples. Keep Kumbabhishekam in your head and perform it. Who should perform Kumbhabhisekham? Kumbham is the final ceremony. HR&CE should only perform administrative works; the dumb department is taking it up Kumbabishegam and doing that. Already, there is a department in the government for that, which department? It is Archaeological department.”

He expressed dismay at political apathy towards the recovery of idols, “Udayachandran is there. He doesn’t know the job. If you put him here, he will work, if you put him there, won’t he work? Should he perform there? Shouldn’t he work and take it up or not? What is the meaning for being silent, talent should be shown everywhere.”

Later, Ponn Manickavel clarified that there was a misunderstanding in earlier interpretations regarding idols found underground, attributing their concealment to neglect during the Mughal era. He explained that these idols, known as Utsavar Moorthi, were metal-carved deities used during the Chola era for processions that allowed common people who couldn’t visit the temple to participate in worship.

He further stated that a significant number of looted idols, totaling 1,414, are housed at Washington DC and 35 of them are housed in  Victoria and Albert Museum in London following their smuggling abroad by Subash Chandra Kapoor. He said that all parties implicated in these thefts should be held accountable. Later addressing the figurines of deities at museums ought to be relocated to temples and not treated merely as exhibits, Manickavel questioned why the government kept idols in the Madras Museum, while idols in London are viewed as art by people of different religions, whereas we worship them. He questioned the purpose of exhibiting deities in Chennai.

Despite Chief Minister Stalin being urged to document 3.5 lakh idols, no progress has been made. He questioned whether legal action is the sole recourse and why the government has not intervened.

Recent announcements in the police budget by Chief Minister Stalin have stirred disappointment and outcry. Despite the government compensating victims of illicit alcohol consumption handsomely, efforts to recover stolen idols in Tamil Nadu have been fruitless despite multiple appeals. Numerous ancient temples in Tamil Nadu lie in disrepair and demand restoration. Resources from private donors, not just government coffers, are available for temple revitalization.

Later stating the plight of petitions, despite 150 court orders issued thus far, none have been effectively implemented by the government. The commissioner overseeing the HR&CE department was criticized as authoritarian. Manickavel said, “Net result is zero, I’m living here… How many times should I go to the court, is this my work? Then what should be done? If the government abolishes the HR&CE Act, there is no need for all this”

It has been claimed that around 34,119 temples have already been demolished. Apparently, in 2012, a staggering 2,622 idols were stolen nationwide. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, expected to confront the central government and secure the return of these idols, has maintained a troubling silence on the matter, he said.

(With inputs from ETV Bharat)

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The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE) authorities have been accused of grave abuse of power, with a complaint lodged with the police alleging misappropriation of ₹1.34 lakh from the funds of the Lord Agatheeswarar Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple in Nungambakkam, Chennai.

Ramanan, an auditor associated with the “Alayam Kappom” organization, filed a complaint on 24 April 2024, supported by documented evidence and collected materials, alongside former idol wing IG Ponn Manickavel, acting as an advisor to the organization.

The complaint highlights the alleged misappropriation of ₹1.35 lakh from the temple’s funds during 2017-18. These funds were purportedly diverted for expenses related to tea, coffee, snacks, and meals for the HR&CE Commissioner’s office.

He

அவர்களுடன் சென்று 24.04.24 அன்று பதிவு செய்தோம். கோயில்களின் நிர்வாகத்தை எடுத்துக் கொண்டு பிரிவு 92 மூலம் நிர்வாக வரி
என்று பல கோடிகளை கோயில்களில் இருந்து வசூலித்த பிறகும் அலுவலக சாப்பாட்டுக்கு கையாடுவது S 406 409 IPC படி ஆயுள் தண்டனைக்குறிய குற்றமாகும். SC ஆணை உறுதி செய்கிறது pic.twitter.com/XcAWqd6EWU

— FreeHinduTemples / Aalayam_Kaappom/ ஆலயம்_காப்போம் (@AalayamKaappom) April 27, 2024

Despite substantial funds collected from various temples, diverting them for office expenses constitutes a serious offense, potentially punishable with imprisonment under Sections 406 and 409 of the Indian Penal Code, as per a Supreme Court ruling.

Former IG Ponn Manickavel, addressing the press, declared that the HR&CE Commissioner’s office in Nungambakkam has committed a serious offense by engaging in fraudulent misappropriation of funds. According to the law, this offense carries a punishment of up to two years. Additionally, their actions constitute criminal breach of trust, which can lead to a life sentence. These crimes occurred during the 2017-18 period.

He explained the delay in filing a complaint by noting that the accused individuals were all part of the HR&CE department, and the crimes took place under their supervision without detection. The beneficiaries of these fraudulent activities were also affiliated with HR&CE, thus maintaining secrecy. Manickavel cautioned against assuming innocence based on claims of using funds for tea, coffee, and lunch, clarifying that HR&CE operates differently from other departments as it relies on taxes imposed on temples by the government.

Ponn Manickavel pointed out that contrary to the popular belief, unlike the other state government departments which runs on taxpayer’s money, the HR&CE Department runs on taxes levied on temples.

He revealed that temples are taxed similarly to businesses, with rates ranging from 4% to 12% based on revenue.

“The previous government (AIADMK) levied ₹340 crore in taxes per year just for Hindu temples. This is on record. Even the press does not know that temples are taxed by the government. They’ve hidden this fact. How are they levying the tax? They’ve categorized like businesses. 4% tax for temples that earn ₹5000-₹20,000 per year. 5% tax for temples that earn ₹20,000-₹60,000 per year. 6% tax for temples that earn ₹60,000 to ₹200,000 per year. 7% tax for temples that earn ₹200,000 to  ₹500,000 per year. 12% tax for any temple that earns above ₹500,000.“, Ponn Manickavel said.

“The previous government (AIADMK) put ₹340 crore and put ₹370 crore the next year. The new government (DMK) which came in 2021 is putting ₹427 crores. It is this money that is used as ‘administrative fund’ to give salaries, pensions, etc.“, he said.

This information is largely unknown, even among Hindu organizations, and the government has allegedly destroyed 11 Adheenams, leaving only a few ancient ones unaware of these practices. In recent years, the government has increased temple taxes significantly, using the funds for administrative purposes like salaries and pensions. Manickavel condemned this practice, arguing that temple earnings should be spent for temple purposes only.

He also said that two officers namely Executive Officer M. Sakthivel and another officer is involved in this.

Despite the substantial taxes imposed on temples, the Nungambakkam office allegedly diverted funds for lunch, snacks, and water bottles, which Manickavel condemned as theft from the temples he said. He also highlighted over 19 reported crimes at the renowned Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple in Nungambakkam, indicating a broader issue of security and mismanagement.

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The post Complaint Filed Against TN HR&CE For Misappropriation Of Funds From Chennai’s Agatheeswarar Temple, Ex-Idol Wing IG Reveals Stunning Details appeared first on The Commune.