L. Shanmugan Chinnaiyan v. The Commissioner

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 27-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI L.Shanmugan Chinnaiyan S/o. Chinnaiyan, No.4/17, Najappa Gounder Nagar, Vilankurichi, Coimbatore North, Saravanampatti, Coimbatore

...Petitioner(s)

Vs

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, Chennai.

2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Commercial Tax Office Complex, R.Balasundaram Road, Coimbatore -641 018

3. The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Rathinagiri Kumarakadavul (Murugan) Temple, Karattumedu, Saravanampatti, Coimbatore District.

...Respondent(s)

PETITION under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 2nd respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 05.2.2026 made regarding the administration and management of the 3rd Respondent temple, namely Arulmigu Rathinagiri kumarakadavul (Murugan) Temple, Karattumedu, Saravanampatti, Coimbatore District and to conduct a proper enquiry and pass appropriate orders on merits in accordance with law within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.A.Sakthivel For Respondent(s):

Mr.S.Ravichandran, AGP (HR & CE)

ORDER

This is a petition filed by the petitioner seeking a direction to the second respondent to consider his representation dated 05.2.2026 for conducting proper enquiry regarding the administration and management of the third respondent temple and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law within a time frame.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader (HR & CE) accepting notice for the respondents.

3. The case of the petitioner is as follows:

(i) The petitioner is a resident of Saravanampatti Village and is a devotee regularly visiting the third respondent temple. Earlier, one Mr.Ammai Appa devoted his entire life for the welfare and development of the third respondent temple and resisted interference by certain individuals in the affairs of the third respondent temple. After the demise of the said Mr.Ammai Appa, some individuals constituted a Paribalana Sabha and began interfering with the administration of the third respondent temple without any authority whatsoever. (ii) Later, the members of the Paribalana Sabha managed to secure appointment as trustees through the respondent Department in an arbitrary manner. Further, during consecration and renovation works, huge sum of money was illegally collected from the devotees without issuing proper receipts. There has been no transparency with regard to the donations

received and the expenditure incurred towards maintenance of the third respondent temple accounts and this led to serious financial irregularities and misappropriation of the funds of the third respondent temple. (iii) Expressing all his grievance, the petitioner sent a representation dated 05.2.2026 to the second respondent for conducting an enquiry into its affairs, followed by a reminder dated 28.2.2026. As it did not evoke any response, the petitioner is before this Court.

4. Considering the limited nature of the relief sought for and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the second respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 05.2.2026 on merits and after providing an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and the aggrieved parties, pass appropriate orders thereon in accordance with law within a period of 12 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.

27-03-2026

Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order To

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Chennai.

2. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Commercial Tax Office Complex, R. Balasundaram Road, Coimbatore -641 018

3. The Executive Officer Arulmigu Rathinagiri Kumarakadavul (Murugan) Temple, Karattumedu, Saravanampatti, Coimbatore District.

RLI

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

RLI 27-03-2026