Idol Wing IGP fears parallel probe

In a hearing that transpired through video conferencing with Justice R Mahadevan sitting at the principal seat and Justice P D Audikesavalu sitting at Madurai, the Idol Wing IGP submitted that he had information from a probe officer about a parallel investigation to pin him down and the process had commenced immediately after the hearing that transpired last Friday.

To this, Justice Mahadevan asked when the high court is seized of the issue, what else can the State do and sought to know from the IG as to whether his fear was a mere apprehension.

But the IG on noting that his apprehensions are well founded, noted that the whole process is proceeding behind his back with approver evidence being misguided and investigation by the CBCID sleuths proceeding on the wrong lines.

However, with the bench on wondering as to how the police could proceed with the matter especially with orders being reserved on the GO transferring all pending and future temple idol theft cases to CBI, sought the presence of the either the Additional Advocate General or Public prosecutor handling the case.

But with both not present there, the bench on recording the IGs statement, said no enquiry shall proceed and directed the State to place all materials before the court ahead of any decision being made.

Thereafter, the counsel appearing on behalf of HR&CE Commissioner on citing Government manual for destruction of records submitted that documents pertaining the 2004 Kumbabishegam of Kapaleeshwarar temple was destroyed in 2013 as it can’t be kept for eternity.

But the bench on directing the counsel to file an affidavit in this regard stating all the rules governing destruction of records, posted the case for further hearing to Wednesday.