India, July 29 -- Three people were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the alleged fraudulent sale of a 1.4-acre plot worth around Rs 100 crore near the famed Palani Murugan temple for just Rs 2 crore, officials said.

The CB-CID arrested Vellaithurai, 60, of Tiruppur, Anwardeen, 65, of Dindigul, and Murugadas, 56, of Viluppuram district, police sources said.

The land, located at the foothills of the temple and currently used as a free parking facility for devotees, was allegedly registered to private individuals on July 6 despite an 1888 endowment deed restricting its use to religious and charitable purposes.

The registration also allegedly went ahead despite written objections from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (...