Gold theft case: M Muthaiah, chief temple architect of Tamil Nadu government, gets bail

Muthiah Stapathi, the chief temple architect of the Tamil Nadu Government, has been accused of a role in a gold idol theft case in Kancheepuram.

Chennai: Muthiah Stapathi, the chief temple architect of the Tamil Nadu Government, has been granted bail in connection with a gold idol theft case in Kancheepuram.

The Madras High Court had granted anticipatory bail to M Muthaiah on Thursday.

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.

In his anticipatory bail, Muthaiah had argued that he had no role in the heist and police had not produced any material evidence against him.

The Madras High Court, while granting the anticipatory bail also 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.

(With PTI inputs)