Apex Court Restrains Ex-IPS Officer Ponn Manickavel And CBI Officials From Speaking To Media In Tamil Nadu Idol Theft Case

Today, the Supreme Court ordered Ponn Manickavel and the investigation officers of CBI not to make any public statements to press or media regarding the idol theft case. The Court was considering the SLP filed by the CBI seeking incorporation of two more bail conditions in the terms and conditions fixed by the High Court for release on bail.

A. G. Ponn Manickavel, former Inspector General of Police (Idol Wing), Tamil Nadu, has been accused of falsely implicating police officers in an idol theft case. In August 2024, an FIR was registered against Manickavel by CBI on the direction of Madras High Court.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had issued notice in the SLP, wherein CBI sought two more bail conditions to be incorporated: the passport of Manickavel may be impounded; and Manickavel may not give any interview to the press/media (both print and electronic).

The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta ordered, "Regarding not giving any interview to press/media, Mr. Nagamuthu submit that with respect to the present case, the Respondent would not make any public statement to press or media, both electronic and print...Investigating Officers, in the present case, will also not make any public statement against the Respondent in the meantime."

Senior Advocate S. Nagamuthu, appearing for Manickavel, submitted, "My passport expires on 07.09.2025...I will produce it after the renewal."

Upon which, Justice Nath remarked, "And, till then you will not travel..." and Nagamuthu agreed that in the meanwhile, Manickavel will not leave India.

Nagamuthu continued to seek clarification with regard to the condition of not giving media interviews and said, "This order was passed...when the investigation was going on...because if I give any interviews it may affect investigations. Therefore, the Court was pleased to pass the order."

Upon hearing this submission, Justice Mehta remarked that Manickavel may tell his lawyers what he has to say and not to the media.

Nagamutho pleaded, "I am a Public Man...I was a reputed Police Officer...even after my retirement, Court appointed me as the Special Investigating Officer to investigate the case...I have not received a single penny as salary...Now, I have to be penalised like this..."

The submission made by Nagamuthu regarding the impounding of the passport was recorded by the Court in its order, and the Court directed that if the passport is renewed, the same has to be surrendered by Manickavel.

"In the meantime, the Respondent will not leave the country without the permission of the trial court", the Court added.

Further, with respect to the other condition of not giving interviews to media, the Court recorded that Manickavel will not make any public statement to press or media, both electronic and print, regarding the case.

However, Nagamuthu further requested that CBI officers should also be restrained from making any statements to the press about Manickavel.

"Investigating Officers, in the present case, will also not make any public statement against the Respondent in the meantime", the Court added in its order.

Accordingly, the petition was disposed of.

Background

In 2024, the Madras High Court ordered CBI to register an FIR against Manickavel on a petition filed by Kader Batcha, former Deputy Superintendent of Police, wherein he contended that Manickavel has falsely implicated him and other police officials in an idol theft case. Presently, Manickavel has been on anticipatory bail on certain conditions, including appearing before the CBI as and when required.

Cause Title: Central Bureau of Investigation v. A.G. Ponn Manickavel, SLP(Crl.) No. 7200/2025

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