Idol investigator snubs TN govt

The officer probing idol theft in Tamil Nadu has said he need not respond to the government's order to turn over files related to his investigation.

According to reports, officer Pon Manickavel's response to the government came in a letter as his term on the job ends soon.  

The officer said, he was appointed to the post by the court and he is not answerable to the state government. 

Pon Manickavel heads the special investigation team that deals with the theft of priceless idols from temples in Tamil Nadu, which are then taken out of the country over a smuggling network.