Former HR&CE Commissioner held in Chennai

Idol Wing investigation department arrested former Commissioner of HR&CE Veerashanmuga Mani from his residence this morning.

The arrest was made by a team of policemen led by Special Officer investigating Idol Wing Theft, A G Ponn Manickavel.

Veerashanmuga Mani was produced before a magistrate at Kumbakonam after his arrest. He is facing allegation of cheating while making two idols at Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar temple.

At the temple, gold meant for making Somaskandhar utsavar and suzhali utsavar were stolen, the officials said.
Both statues were made of 114 kgs of gold. It is said the temple authorities collected 15 kgs of gold from devotees, but only eight grams went in for making the idols.

The head Sthapati Muthaia, Joint Commissioner Kavitha were also arrested, but they soon acquired bail.