Strict action to be taken in fake deed registration cases; the guilty will get no relief: Minister
Madurai: Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Energy and Law, C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, has stated that cases of fraudulent deed registrations reported over the past five years will be thoroughly investigated, and no one involved will be spared. He clarified that strict legal action will be taken against those found guilty in cases involving the illegal registration of temple lands, lakes, ponds, and other public properties.
Speaking to reporters in Madurai on Saturday, the Minister referred to the alleged scam involving Palani temple land and emphasized the need for a detailed and impartial inquiry into the entire matter. He noted that preliminary information suggests the involvement of multiple individuals; therefore, it is essential to get to the bottom of the issue to uncover the truth and bring the culprits to justice.
The Minister stated that complaints regarding fraudulent deed registrations—affecting not only Palani temple land but also temple properties, lakes, ponds, and other public lands across various parts of Tamil Nadu—have surfaced over the last five years. These incidents have raised concerns for the government, and necessary steps are now being taken to investigate all such complaints seriously.
C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar asserted that public properties are the state’s heritage, and ensuring their protection is the government’s responsibility. He declared that no one would be permitted to illegally occupy land belonging to government or religious institutions by creating forged documents. The government remains fully vigilant against such irregularities and is committed to taking stern action against the guilty.
He remarked that, prima facie, it is difficult to believe that such large-scale fraudulent registrations could occur without the collusion of certain officials from the Deed Registration Department. Consequently, the investigation will not be limited to outsiders; if the involvement of departmental officials comes to light, legal and departmental action will be taken against them as well. He clarified that the probe would be impartial and that no individual found guilty—at any level—would be shielded. The Minister stated that the government aims to ensure such incidents do not recur in the future. To this end, measures to make the registration process more transparent and technologically robust are being considered. He indicated that steps such as digitizing land records, verifying documents, and strengthening monitoring systems could be implemented to prevent the registration of properties based on forged documents.
He also appealed to the public to report any information regarding the fraudulent registration of deeds for temple land, government land, lakes, ponds, or other public properties to the concerned authorities. He assured that every complaint would be investigated, and if found valid, immediate legal action would be initiated.
C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar stated that the government seeks to protect public properties with the cooperation of the public. He noted that public awareness and timely information could play a crucial role in exposing such cases; therefore, citizens should bring any suspicious activity to the administration’s attention.
He further emphasized that the state government believes in the rule of law and views any land scam as a serious offense. Whether the case involves temple land, government land, or other public property, strict action against the perpetrators will be ensured. He maintained that the government’s priority is to safeguard public assets and uphold the public’s trust in the administration.
The Minister’s statement is being viewed as significant in political and administrative circles. In recent years, numerous cases of alleged fraudulent registration of temple and public lands have surfaced across various districts of Tamil Nadu, with the opposition consistently demanding government action. Against this backdrop, the government’s assurance of a comprehensive investigation and stern action reflects the administration’s seriousness regarding this issue.
Currently, the state government is proceeding with the investigation of complaints and documents related to these cases. Once the investigation concludes, if the involvement of any individual, middleman, or government official is established, action will be taken against them in accordance with legal provisions. The government has reiterated that no negligence or irregularity regarding the protection of public assets will be tolerated.
