Palani Math land case: Accused Anwardeen dies in judicial custody in Madurai

He complained of uneasiness upon arrival at Madurai Central Prison on Friday evening, after being in the custody of the CB-CID for three days while being questioned in connection with the case

Updated - August 08, 2026 02:11 pm IST - MADURAI

The land in question, which belongs to the Sri Dhandapaniswamy hill temple in Palani | Photo Credit: G. KARTHIKEYAN

One of the accused in the multi-crore illegal sale of Palani Math land, S. Anwardeen (65), died in judicial custody in Madurai on Friday (August 7, 2026) night. He complained of uneasiness upon arrival at Madurai Central Prison on Friday evening, after being in the custody of the CB-CID for three days while being questioned in connection with the case.

Anwardeen, of Palani, was accused of facilitating the fraudulent registration of the 1.40-acre land and was arrested on July 28. He had been lodged in Madurai Central Prison since then.

He was taken into custody by the CB-CID, which is probing the case, on August 5 for three days of interrogation. After the interrogation, Anwardeen was brought back to Madurai Central Prison on Friday evening.

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Since he complained of uneasiness, he was taken to the hospital on the jail premises. Around 10.30 p.m., his condition worsened and he was taken by a jail ambulance to Government Rajaji Hospital, where he was declared brought dead, the police said.

The body has been kept at the mortuary.

A judicial inquiry has been ordered into the death of the accused while in judicial custody.

The CB-CID had arrested five other persons in the case, including Sub-Registrar Justin Manikandan; document writer Jayaprakash; D. Murugadass, the seller of the land; and K. Velthurai and D. Sethupathi, both buyers, in connection with the sale of land belonging to Dhandayuthapani Swamigal Math, which was established to perform services for Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani and its devotees.

Published - August 08, 2026 01:30 pm IST

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