Lingam made of rare stone recovered in Pudukkottai

The accident happened in the wee hours of Friday when M Ashok Chackravarthi (55) along with his friends P Kasi (27) from Melur, M Thangamariappan (55) of Chennai and K Murugan (45) of Theni were travelling in an SUV from Madurai to Chennai and Kasi was at the wheels. When the car reached Kothamanayakkanpatti branch road in Viralimalai-Tiruchy bypass, it collided with a TNSTC bus bound from Tiruchy to Viralimalai in which all the four occupants of the car suffered severe injuries and were in an unconscious state. 

On receiving information, a police team led by Viralimalai Inspector A M Senthil Maran rescued the injured men and rushed them to Tiruchy GH. Among the four persons, Ashok Chakaravarthi is said to be the founder president of MGR Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the car was also owned by him. 

Later, they inspected the car and found the lingam (20 cm high and 25 cm wide) weighing 7.130 kg. The lingam was neatly packed and placed in a bag in the car. When the police interrogated those undergoing treatment, they gave contradictory replies. This made the police personnel suspect that the idol might have been stolen from a temple. 

Sources said that these types of lingam are available in the temples in Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari districts in Tamil Nadu and several temples in Kerala. Meanwhile, Idol Wing IG Pon Manickavel was informed about the case and he has initiated investigations.  A case has been registered against all four men.