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.

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.

Chandigarh: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against a senior staff member attached to the Punjab Vigilance Bureau chief and three others in an alleged ₹20 lakh bribery case.

The accused include Om Parkash Singh Rana, who was serving as Reader to the Director General of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, along with Vikas Goyal, Raghav Goyal and Ankit Wadhwa.

The case relates to allegations that money and a mobile phone were demanded from a State Tax Officer in connection with a pending vigilance matter.

Complaint Triggers CBI Investigation

According to the CBI’s case details, State Tax Officer Amit Kumar approached the agency after allegedly being asked to pay ₹20 lakh and provide a mobile handset for favourable action in a matter pending before the Punjab Vigilance Bureau.

The complainant reportedly met Rana on April 29, 2026, regarding the case under review. Following receipt of the complaint, the CBI verified the allegations before initiating further proceedings.

As part of the investigation, the agency conducted a trap operation in Chandigarh on May 11, 2026. During the operation, three accused — Ankit Wadhwa, Raghav Goyal and Vikas Goyal — were arrested.

Main Accused Later Appeared Before Court

After the arrests, Om Parkash Singh Rana surrendered before the court. The CBI subsequently completed its investigation and submitted the chargesheet before the designated special court.

Investigators have claimed that evidence collected during the probe, including relevant documents and other material, supports the allegations of a bribery demand connected with the pending vigilance matter.

The filing of the chargesheet marks the beginning of the judicial process, during which the court will examine the evidence and decide further proceedings, including framing of charges.

Trial to Determine Outcome of Case

The accused will have the opportunity to present their defence during the trial. The allegations made by the investigating agency remain subject to judicial examination, and the final determination of guilt or innocence will be made by the court after completion of legal proceedings.

The case forms part of the CBI’s ongoing anti-corruption investigations involving alleged bribery demands and trap operations conducted against public officials and private individuals.