In a significant development in the Tamil Nadu Idol Theft cases, the Supreme Court has restrained retired IPS officer Pon Manickavel and CBI officials from giving any media statements related to the ongoing investigation.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order during the hearing of a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking two additional bail conditions against Manickavel—surrender of his passport and a ban on media interviews.
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“With regard to the present case, Mr. Manickavel shall not make any statement to press or media, either print or electronic,” said the counsel appearing for him.
Senior Advocate S. Nagamuthu, representing Manickavel, informed the Court that the passport in question was nearing expiry. He assured the bench that once the new passport is issued, it would be surrendered. He also undertook not to travel outside India without the trial court’s permission.
On the issue of media statements, Nagamuthu clarified that Manickavel will not give interviews or make public remarks concerning the case. He also requested the Court to direct CBI officials to refrain from making statements against his client. The Court accepted this request and issued a directive restraining both parties.
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“Both the accused and the investigating officials shall not comment publicly or to the media while proceedings are pending,” the bench ordered.
The case originated from a 2005 FIR, filed after the theft of idols from a temple in Pazhavoor, allegedly involving suspended DSP Kader Batcha. Batcha, who was arrested for his alleged role, claimed that Manickavel falsely implicated him and later violated bail terms by giving media interviews post-interrogation.
In August 2024, the Madras High Court had granted anticipatory bail to Manickavel, with conditions including daily appearance before CBI for four weeks and a restriction on tampering with evidence or witnesses.
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After Manickavel gave interviews post-bail, Batcha approached CBI, alleging that the former officer was interfering in the investigation and breaching bail terms. This led the CBI to approach the Supreme Court seeking additional restrictions.
Earlier this year, Batcha had also filed a petition in the Madras High Court against Manickavel’s media interviews. In March 2025, Manickavel submitted before the High Court that he had stopped giving media interviews since the petition and had no intention of doing so again. On this basis, the High Court disposed of the petition after recording his written undertaking.
Case Title: CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Versus A.G. PONN MANICKAVEL, SLP(Crl) No. 7200/2025