A recent report in the Times of India indicates that police have arrested 23 people in four different granite firms for large-scale illegal quarrying in Madurai district, and PRP Exports, one of the largest stone producers in India -- and the world -- has been shut down by government officials. "Of the 23 arrested, 14 are from PRP Exports, three from Sindhu Granites, two from GG Granites and four from Madura Granites," a senior police official told the newspaper.

"Though they are employees of the granite companies, they were pretty well aware of the illegal quarrying and thereby accomplices in the activity. They were also beneficiaries in the illegal quarrying." In the wake of these arrests, another news source within India -- The Hindu -- reports that PRP Granite Exports partner P. Palanichamy surrendered before the Madurai district police on August 18. According to the source, Palanichamy submitted a four-page document denying the allegations against the granite company owned by him and his associates/companies.