A. Suresh Raj, who was holding the post of Director, Directorate of Information and Publicity, has been placed under suspension after he was recently arrested in Kamatchiamman Temple land grabbing case in Puducherry.

An order issued by the Lieutenant Governor on July 20, said the officer has been suspended with immediate effect as a criminal offence against him was under investigation. When the suspension was in force, the officer should not leave the headquarters without obtaining permission from the competent authority, the order said.

Early this month, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption unit of the Puducherry police had arrested Mr. Suresh for his involvement in the fraudulent registration of the Settlement Deed related to the temple land when he was serving as Sub Registrar of Oulgaret.

He has been accused of facilitating illegal occupation of the temple land and was arrested under sections 120-B, 465, 467, 468, 471, 420 1PC read with Section 34 IPC and Section 13 (1) (b) (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Published - July 21, 2026 08:47 pm IST