Madras High Court on Thursday overturned a lower court’s order wherein the authorities of Tirupur district were directed to produce the presiding deity Moolavar idol in the court for verification. The court was hearing an idol theft case.
“The God cannot be summoned by the Court to be produced for a mere inspection or verification purposes, as if that it is a material object of a criminal case,” said Justice R Suresh Kumar.
In order to serve the purpose of the impugned compliance order without disturbing or wounding the feelings of a large number of devotees, the High Court bench called for the appointment of an Advocate Commissioner will prepare a detailed report on the condition of the idol with the assistance of other concerned persons.
The matter has been adjourned for four weeks.
The idol was stolen, traced and installed at the shrine after following the rituals and ‘Agama’ rules. The Moolavar idol was stolen from the Paramasivan Swamy temple in Siviripalayam in the Tirupur district. After retrieving it, the police produced the idol before a lower court in Kumbakonam who is dealing with the idol theft cases.
The executive officer when attempted to remove the idol from the temple to produce before the court, devotees and villagers including the petitioner objected and filed a writ petition.
The petition was filed through Advocate Mr.C.K.Chandrasekar.
The court observed that the Moolavar idol is different from a Urchavar, which can be taken out for procession by following the Aagama Rules. However, Moolavar, once installed, cannot be removed instantly, even in pursuance of orders of a Court, the court added.
