Chennai: Pon Manickavel, the court appointed special officer, has told the Madras high court that two Tamil Nadu ministers were involved in idol theft cases in the state.

He made the submission through the counsel while intervening in a plea moved by former idol wing deputy superintendent of police Kader Batcha seeking direction to register an FIR against Manickavel in connection with complaints of collusion with core accused in various idol theft cases.

Justice Anand Venkatesh has directed Manickavel to file a report on the allegations against the ministers by August 6.

Appearing on behalf of Manickavel, senior counsel Selvaraj submitted that the petitioner had already filed a contempt petition against the chief secretary and the DGP which was pending adjudication before the division bench.

The counsel further stated at the time of hearing of the contempt plea that it had been submitted to the bench regarding the involvement of ministers in the cases as well as the interference of DGP and hence, wanted his client to be heard in this case and made a request for impleading.

The judge, who ordered for impleading, also directed the petitioner to furnish whatever materials he had with him to the court and file a report. The judge then posted the matter to August 6.

Manickavel was appointed as a special officer to head the Idol Wing CID and probe idol theft cases in the state for a year through the November 30, 2018 court order.