TN Idol Theft Cases : CBI Seeks To Restrain Retd. IPS Officer Pon Manickavel From Giving Media Interviews, Supreme Court To Hear On July 21
The Supreme Court will hear on July 21 a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation seeking to restrain retired IPS officer Pon Manickavel, who is accused of falsely implicating police officials in Idol Theft cases, from giving any interviews to the media.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta adjourned the matter today till the said date.
To recap, the FIR against Manickavel was lodged at the behest of suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police Kader Batcha, who was arrested over alleged collusion in theft of idols from a Pazhavoor temple in 2005.
In August last year, Manickavel was granted anticipatory bail by the Madras High Court, subject to certain conditions. One of the conditions was that he shall appear before CBI daily at 10.30 a.m. for a period of 4 weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation. Another condition was that he shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial.
Allegedly, after appearing before CBI and the interrogation, Manickavel started giving media interviews about how the investigation was being carried out, which according to Batcha, amounted to interference with the investigation and violation of the bail conditions. Aggrieved, Batcha made a representation to CBI.
Recently, the present petition was filed by CBI seeking imposition of 2 more bail conditions on Manickavel, related to impounding of his passport and restrain on media interviews. In May, the top Court issued notice to Manickavel.
Notably, Batcha also filed a petition before the Madras High Court against Manickavel's interviews. In March, Manickavel submitted that since filing of the said petition, he stopped giving interviews to media and would not do so in the future as well. Under Court orders, he also gave an undertaking in writing, after which the petition was disposed of.
Case Title: CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Versus A.G. PONN MANICKAVEL, SLP(Crl) No. 7200/2025