Madras HC grants anticipatory bail to chief temple architect in gold theft case

The Madras High Court today granted anticipatory bail to M Muthaiah, chief temple architect of the Tamil government, in a gold idol theft case in Kancheepuram.
Muthaiah, chief 'sthapathi' of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department, had last month moved an anticipatory bail plea apprehending arrest by the Idol Wing CID police in the case related to 'hiving off' 5.75 kg of gold from the idol at the Lord Ekambaranathar Temple.
The idol wing had last month registered an FIR against nine people, including the temple executive officer Murugesan, Muthaiah, sculptor Masilamani and priest Rajappa.
While seeking anticipatory bail, Muthaiah had contented that he had no role in the heist and police had not produced any material evidence against him.

Granting the anticipatory bail, Justice R Mahadevan directed him to surrender before the judicial magistrate of Kancheepuram within a week and execute a personal bond for Rs 50,000 with two sureties to the like sum.
The judge also directed him to surrender his passport to the magistrate forthwith.
He was further directed to appear before the Idol Wing IG Pon Manickavel every Monday and Wednesday for three weeks and thereafter as and when required.