A total of 2,200 books valued at ₹21 lakh have reportedly been identified as counterfeit at the Tenkasi Central Library in Tamil Nadu, as authorities examine whether similar books were procured in public libraries across the state.
The discovery was reported by Dinamalar on November 11, 2026, during an ongoing review of books purchased under the names of Aagal Vilakku and Phoenix publishers. The report said the books found at Tenkasi Central Library had been procured under the name of Aagal Vilakku Publications. It also identified 93 books associated with Phoenix Publications.
The findings follow an earlier discovery at the E.V.R. Periyar Arivulagam Library in Coimbatore, where books carrying the names of fictitious authors were reportedly found. According to the report, the books had been purchased using the names of Aagal Vilakku and Phoenix publishers.
The issue has since triggered criticism across Tamil Nadu and prompted checks in districts to determine whether books bearing the names of the two publishers were supplied to other libraries. The review places public library procurement under scrutiny because books acquired with public funds are intended to form part of the state’s reading and learning infrastructure.
The report did not provide details of the procurement agency, purchase dates, suppliers, tender or quotation process, or the officials responsible for approving the acquisitions. It also did not state whether the books had been withdrawn from circulation, whether payments had been recovered, or whether any departmental or criminal action had been initiated.
The Tenkasi discovery therefore adds a district-level dimension to a wider question over how books are selected, verified and purchased for public libraries. A library’s collection depends not only on physical space and reader access but also on the authenticity, authorship and publishing details of the material placed on its shelves.
The reported value of the books at Tenkasi—₹21 lakh—makes the case significant beyond the contents of a single library. It raises the possibility of financial loss to the public system if books that do not meet procurement or publishing standards were purchased and catalogued. The number of books also makes the matter relevant to collection audits rather than an isolated shelf-level discrepancy.
Further details on the state-wide inspection, the identity of the suppliers, the verification process used to classify the books as counterfeit and the response of the library administration were not available in the supplied report. The next stage will depend on the findings of the inspections being conducted across Tamil Nadu and any administrative action that follows.
