Supreme Court to hear Kapaleeswarar Temple idol case on September 2

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on September 2 a challenge to the Madras High Court’s decision to quash an FIR in the 2004 Kapaleeswarar Temple peacock idol case involving industrialist Venu Srinivasan.

The petition, filed by temple activist Rangarajan Narasimhan against Srinivasan and another, is listed as SLP (Crl.) No. 7650/2024 in the Supreme Court’s advance list. It is among a group of connected matters listed for hearing.

The case concerns allegations that an antique peacock idol at the Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore, Chennai, was replaced during renovation work in 2004. Srinivasan was associated with a government-constituted committee involved in the renovation exercise.

Narasimhan has alleged that the idol was replaced without authorisation. The allegations led to the registration of an FIR, and the Tamil Nadu Idol Wing subsequently filed a final report naming Srinivasan and others.

Srinivasan has denied any involvement in the alleged theft or unauthorised replacement of the idol. He had earlier obtained anticipatory bail.

In February 2024, the Madras High Court quashed the FIR. Narasimhan challenged that order before the Supreme Court, keeping the matter pending before the apex court.

The Supreme Court’s hearing on September 2 will consider the challenge to the High Court’s order. The outcome will determine whether the quashing of the FIR stands or whether fresh legal pressure could emerge for Srinivasan.