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Madras High CourtWP/705/2024disposed of with direction

A/M.Sri Varadaraja Perumal And v. The District Collector

2026-03-04Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani7 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 04-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.No.724 OF 2024 A/m.Sri Varadaraja Perumal and Sri Agastheeswaraswamy Devasthanam, Rep.by its Hereditary Trustee, Mrs.Vanitha R Manickavasagam, W/o. Mr.Ramani Manickavasagam, No.231, Kilpauk Garden, Kilpauk, Chennai 10.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The District Collector Collectorate Office, GST Road, Chenglepet-603001.

2. The Commissioner Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowments Department, 119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

3. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Chenglepet District @ Kancheepuram, Kancheepuram 631501.

4. The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 228, JCK Nagar, Chengalpattu 603001.

5. The Inspector O/o.Inspector of HR and CE Department, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Cheyyur Taluk, Chenglepet District.

6. The Block Development Officer (BDO) Chithamur Panchayat, Cheyyur Taluk, Chenglepet District-603 313.

7. The Tahsildar Cheyiur Taluk, Chenglepet District.

8. The Inspector Of Police (L & O) G-6, Chithamur Police Station, Saravambakkam, Chenglepet District-603 313.

9. J.Kannan Village Panchayat President, Chunampet Panchayat, Cheyyur Taluk, Chenglepet District 603313.

10.Nirmal Kumar Village Panchayat President / Civil Contractor, Puthirankottai, Cheyur Taluk, Chenglepet District-603401.

..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for a direction to the respondents 1 to 5 to initiate appropriate legal action against the respondents 9 and 10 for their illegal and unauthorized constructions, civil works, improvements, Concrete columns, Water Tank or any other improvements whatsoever either permanent or temporary on the instructions of 6th respondent (Block Development Officer) in the Petitioner Temple Land comprised in Survey No. 454/1 measuring an extent of Hectare 0-78.50 Ares and Survey No.454/2 measuring an extent of Hectare 0-14.00 Ares bearing Patta No.7 situated in Chunambedu Village, Cheyur Taluk, Chenglepet District, based on the petitioner's representation/complaint dated 12.10.2023 and 25.11.2023 and consequently, directing the respondents 6, 9 and 10 not to put up any Water Tank constructions, civil works, improvements concrete columns or any other improvements whatsoever either permanent or temporary in any mode in the Petitioner Temple Land as referred

above and direct them to restore the said lands to its original state in order to cultivation of the said lands.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.S.L.Sudarasanam For Respondent(s):

Mr.M.Rajendiran Additional Government Pleader for R1 and R7 Mr.K.Karthikeyan Government Advocate (HR & CE) for R2 to R5 Mr.V.Meghanathan Government Advocate (Crl.side) for R8 No appearance for R6, R9 and R10

O R D E R

This Writ Petition is filed for a Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 5 to initiate appropriate legal action against the respondents 9 and 10 for their illegal and unauthorised constructions, civil works, improvements, concrete columns, water tank or any other improvements whatsoever either permanent or temporary on the instructions of the 6th respondent (Block Development Officer) in the petitioner Temple land comprised in Survey No. 454/1 measuring an extent of Hectare 0-78.50 Ares and Survey No.454/2, measuring an extent of Hectare 0-14.00 Ares bearing Patta No.7 situated in Chunambedu Village, Cheyur Taluk, Chenglepet District, based on the petitioner's representation / complaint dated 12.10.2023 and 25.11.2023 and consequently, directing the respondents 6, 9 and 10 not to put up any Water Tank constructions, civil works, improvements, concrete columns

or any other improvements whatsoever either permanent or temporary in any mode in the petitioner Temple land as referred above and direct them to restore the said lands to its original state in order to cultivation of the said lands.

2. The petitioner is the Hereditary Trustee of Arulmighu Sri Varadaraja Perumal and Agatheeswaraswamy Devasthanam, situated at Villipakkam Village, Chunampet, Cheiyur Taluk, Chenglepet District. The said temple comes under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. While that being so, the respondents 9 and 10, on the instigation of the 6th respondent, has trespassed into the said land and started to put up illegal and unauthorised constructions. In this regard, the petitioner has made a representation dated 25.11.2023 to the District Collector, HR and CE Department and to the 6th respondent, however, there is no stoppage of work till date and hence, the petitioner is constrained to approach this Court with the present writ petition.

3. Heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the materials.

4. Considering the limited scope of prayer, this Court, without expressing anything on merits, directs the 3rd respondent to conduct enquiry between the petitioner and the respondents 9 and 10 and take appropriate action, if any illegal or unauthorized construction is found and the same may be

removed after providing opportunity to the petitioner and other interested parties, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. This Writ Petition stands disposed of with the above direction. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 04-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SSB To 1.The District Collector Collectorate Office, GST Road, Chenglepet-603001.

2.The Commissioner Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowments Department, 119 Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034. 3.The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowments Department, Chenglepet District @ Kancheepuram, Kancheepuram 631501. 4.The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowments Department, 228, JCK Nagar, Chengalpattu 603001.

5.The Inspector O/o.Inspector of HR and CE Department, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Cheyyur Taluk, Chenglepet District.

6.The Block Development Officer (BDO) Chithamur Panchayat, Cheyyur Taluk, Chenglepet District-603 313. 7.The Tahsildar Cheyiur Taluk, Chenglepet District.

8.The Inspector Of Police (L & O) G-6, Chithamur Police Station, Saravambakkam, Chenglepet District 603313.

M.DHANDAPANI J.

SSB AND WMP NO. 724 OF 2024 04-03-2026