Supreme Court of India. file Photo Courtesy: Sushil Kumar Verma
The Supreme Court on Friday (Dec 20, 2024) directed the Tamil Nadu government’s home department secretary to be almost present to explain the disappearance of 41 files related to First Information Reports (FIRs) in January 2025 idol theft cases. Police custody.
A bench headed by Justice AS Oka said it was “shocking” that the police registered fresh FIRs in only 11 cases.
“The moment you register a fresh FIR, it becomes a defense for the accused. How can a fresh FIR be registered?” Justice Oka asked senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, appearing for the state.
The court recorded that 27 out of 41 files were found but no action was taken in three cases.
Petitioner Elephant G. Advocate GS Mani, who appeared on behalf of Rajendran, said that the theft took place many years ago. ‘The value of those idols in the international market is more than 300 crores. No progress has been made on these issues. This is sheer negligence,’ he said.
The bench directed the state home secretary to file the personal affidavit before January 27, 2025 while listing the case on January 31, 2025.
The Supreme Court had in February 2023 issued notices to the state home secretary, the director general of police (DGP), the commissioner of Hindu religious and charitable endowments, and the idol theft branch chief additional DGP.
Mr. Rajendran had demanded an independent and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the alleged disappearance of the missing files. In the missing file, Shri Mani had claimed that ancient temple idols, precious artefacts, jewelery and other property were stolen.
The petitioner alleged that the disappearance was the result of a ‘serious conspiracy’ by top police officers, bureaucracy and idol mafia.
Mr. Rajendran’s petition quoted the Madras High Court in a 2019 case that “Tamil Nadu is a state known for its magnificent temples, its rich culture and heritage. The idols enshrined in its temples have their own significance and rich heritage… Some of the 1500 idols 2000 years ago.”
published – Dec 20, 2024 04:03 pm IST