Puducherry: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Wing (VAC) has arrested a senior Puducherry government official in connection with an alleged temple land fraud case involving the suspected illegal transfer of valuable property belonging to Kamatchiamman Temple.

A. Sureshraj, Director of the Puducherry Department of Information and Publicity, was taken into custody as investigators expanded their probe into the alleged fraudulent transfer of temple-owned land in the Rainbow Nagar area. The disputed property, measuring approximately 64,035 square feet, is estimated to have a guideline value exceeding ₹12 crore, while its market value is reportedly much higher.

According to officials familiar with the investigation, the alleged scam involved the use of forged documents, including a fabricated will and manipulated land records, to facilitate changes in ownership and registration of the temple property.

Former Registration Officer Under Investigation

Investigators have alleged that Sureshraj was serving as the Sub-Registrar at the Oulgaret Registration Office when the disputed property transactions were processed. He is accused of failing to verify the authenticity of documents submitted for registration, which allegedly enabled the transfer of the temple land through fraudulent means.

After his arrest, Sureshraj was presented before Puducherry Chief Judicial Magistrate T.V. Anand and was remanded to judicial custody at Kalapet Central Prison. He was later granted bail.

Multiple Officials Named in Expanding Probe

The VAC has already arrested several individuals in connection with the alleged land scam, including former officials from the Survey, Settlement and Land Records Department and the Revenue Department.

Former Director of Survey, Settlement and Land Records M.S. Ramesh, who also held additional charge as District Registrar, was among those arrested. Another accused, former Fisheries Director D. Balaji, has been questioned over allegations that land ownership records were updated in favour of a private individual based on a disputed will.

Villianur Sub-Registrar V. Sivasamy and former Village Administrative Officer Chinnasamy, also known as Palani, are among the other accused investigated in the case. Authorities allege that fabricated local clearance records and altered revenue documents were used during the process of transferring the temple property.

Probe Continues to Trace Wider Conspiracy

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Wing is examining registration records, revenue documents and other evidence to determine the full extent of the alleged conspiracy. Officials are also investigating whether similar methods were used in other property transactions connected to the accused.

The ongoing investigation aims to identify all individuals involved and establish the roles of government officials and private parties suspected of participating in the alleged misuse of temple land records.

Agra, Uttar Pradesh: A decades-old police recruitment fraud case has concluded with a court sentencing a man to three years of rigorous imprisonment for allegedly securing a government job opportunity through a forged affidavit and false documents.

The court of Special Chief Judicial Magistrate Shivanand Gupta convicted the accused, identified as Bhojraj from Sithrapur village in Hathras district, after finding him guilty of cheating and forgery. The case, which began during the 1998-99 recruitment process for the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), remained pending for nearly 27 years before reaching its final judgment.

Fake Affidavit Detected During Police Recruitment Process

According to prosecution records, Bhojraj allegedly submitted a fabricated affidavit during the PAC constable recruitment drive in an attempt to meet eligibility requirements and secure appointment.

The fraud came to light during document verification when officials noticed inconsistencies in the submitted records. The irregularities prevented his induction into active police service and triggered a criminal investigation.

The case highlighted concerns over attempts to manipulate government recruitment procedures using forged documents and false declarations.

Police Registered Case in 1999 After Document Verification

The matter was formally reported in January 1999 after administrative clerk Pradeep Kumar Verma allegedly identified discrepancies in the recruitment documents and filed a complaint.

Following the complaint, Tajganj Police Station in Agra registered a case against Bhojraj under relevant legal provisions related to cheating and forgery. Investigators completed the inquiry and submitted the charge sheet before the court on May 31, 1999.

The trial continued for more than two decades due to procedural delays and movement of the case through different judicial stages before the prosecution presented sufficient evidence for conviction.

Court Awards Jail Term and Financial Penalty

During sentencing, prosecutors argued that recruitment fraud involving law enforcement positions affects public trust and compromises the integrity of government institutions.

After considering the evidence, the court sentenced Bhojraj to three years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹3,000. The court also ordered additional consequences in case of non-payment of the penalty.

Senior Prosecution Officer Rajesh Kumar stated that documentary evidence presented during the trial established that the affidavit submitted during the recruitment process was fraudulent.

Case Highlights Need for Stronger Verification Systems

The conclusion of the long-pending case has renewed discussions around improving verification systems in government recruitment processes.

Experts have emphasized the need for stronger digital verification methods, including secure databases, document authentication systems and technology-driven background checks to prevent candidates from submitting false information during public service selections.

Authorities continue to stress that maintaining accurate recruitment records and identifying fraudulent applications are essential to protecting the credibility of government institutions.

Hyderabad: Tamil actor Arya (Jamshed C), along with the producers of the film Ananthan Kaadu, his personal assistant and other associates, has been booked by Jubilee Hills Police in Hyderabad in connection with an alleged cheating case involving unpaid cinema equipment rental charges of around ₹1.8 crore.

The complaint was filed by Hyderabad-based film equipment supplier Taher Cine Tekniq, which alleged that payments for cameras, lighting equipment and other production materials provided for the movie were not cleared despite repeated assurances from the production team.

Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and started an investigation into the allegations.

Equipment Supplier Claims Pending Dues After Film Production

According to the complaint submitted by the company’s Accounts Head Syed Javed Ali, actor Arya, production banners Mini Studio and The Show People, along with Arya’s personal assistant Kishor, assured the supplier that all rental payments would be settled within the agreed timeframe.

Based on these assurances, the company provided advanced digital cameras, lighting systems and other technical equipment required for the film’s production.

The supplier stated that an agreement was signed on February 25, 2025, after which the equipment was transported from Hyderabad to Kerala, where the shooting reportedly took place. The total value of rental services, including GST, was estimated at approximately ₹2.12 crore.

However, the company alleged that a significant portion of the payment remained unpaid even after the completion of the film.

Complaint Alleges Unpaid Amount and Delayed Settlement

The complainant claimed that the production team later acknowledged outstanding dues of nearly ₹1.8 crore, excluding GST, and assured that the payment would be cleared before the film’s release.

However, according to the complaint, repeated follow-ups through phone calls, emails, written communications and legal notices did not result in payment. The supplier has alleged that the pending amount remained unresolved despite several attempts to recover the dues.

Legal Proceedings and Additional Allegations Under Review

The FIR also mentions allegations that the accused obtained an interim court order in Ernakulam by allegedly withholding certain details related to the financial dispute. The complainant has claimed that the legal action delayed recovery efforts.

The supplier has further alleged that during discussions regarding the pending payment, some individuals connected with the production made threats. Police officials said these claims will also be examined as part of the investigation.

Police Begin Verification of Documents and Financial Records

Investigators are expected to review production agreements, invoices, payment records, bank transactions, tax documents, emails and other communications exchanged between the parties.

Authorities will examine whether contractual obligations were completed, whether payments were intentionally withheld and whether any further legal violations occurred.

Police officials said statements from individuals associated with the film’s production and financial dealings may be recorded during the investigation. Financial records may also be examined to verify the claims made by both sides.

Actor Arya and the other accused persons have not issued any public statement regarding the allegations so far. Police said the case remains under investigation and further action will depend on the findings of the inquiry.