On 16 September 2025, the Supreme Court questioned the Tamil Nadu government over the disappearance of 41 important files connected to idol theft investigations, emphasizing that safeguarding cultural heritage is a fundamental responsibility of the State.
Justice R. Mahadevan, sitting on a Bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna, expressed concern, stating that ever since the initial petitions were submitted to the Madras High Court, it was made clear that 376 idols had been stolen. Authorities were provided with details indicating that many of these stolen idols were located in foreign museums. However, after these reports were handed over, 41 related files mysteriously vanished. “What happened to those files? Why are they missing?” Justice Mahadevan asked senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, representing the State along with lawyer Sabarish Subramanium.
In response, Hegde informed the court that some of the missing documents had been reconstructed. But this did not satisfy the Bench. Justice Mahadevan further questioned whether any First Information Reports (FIRs) had been filed over the missing documents, warning, “If necessary, we will summon the Chief Secretary. The State must take cultural preservation seriously.”
Justice Nagarathna also raised sharp concerns, demanding full transparency about the files’ disappearance. “Did 38 police stations coincidentally experience fires that destroyed these documents? Or was there a directive to destroy them?” she asked pointedly.
The hearing stemmed from a petition filed by advocate Elephant Rajendran, who called for an impartial investigation into the missing records. Rajendran alleged that the files involved cases concerning the theft of ancient idols, valuable artefacts, temple jewelry, and other cultural assets. He claimed their disappearance was the result of a deep-rooted conspiracy involving senior police officials, government bureaucrats, and an organized idol-smuggling network.
In response to these claims, Hegde told the court that 11 FIRs had been registered in connection with the case, and that some of the stolen idols had been recovered.
Rajendran’s petition also referenced a 2019 observation by the Madras High Court, which noted, “Tamil Nadu is renowned for its grand temples and rich cultural legacy. Many of its consecrated idols are of immense historical and spiritual significance, some dating back 1,500 to 2,000 years.”
(With inputs from The Hindu)
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