V.Ravindran v. The Commissioner

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 04.03.2026 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI and W.M.P.Nos.2900, 5751 & 5753 of 2024 V.Ravindran Managing Trustee, Sri Kothandaramaswami Temple, Vembuliamman Koil Street, Madipakkam, Chennai - 600 091.

... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Admn) Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

3.The Executive Officer, A/m. Yoganarasimhaswamy Temple, Having office at A/m.Dhandeeswarar Temple, Velachery, Chennai - 600 042.

... Respondents

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Certiorari calling for the records relating to the proceedings in Se.Mu.Na.Ka.No.75922-66/2021/H1, dated 12.11.2021 on the file of the 1st respondent herein and to quash the same.

For Petitioner : Ms.G.Sumitra For R1 to R3 :

Mr.K.Karthikeyan Government Advocate (HR & CE)

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed challenging the order of the Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department of Tamil Nadu, in Se.Mu.Na.Ka.No.75922-66/2021/H1, dated 12.11.2021, making A/m.Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Madippakkam, as a Sub-Temple of A/m.Yoganarasimhaswamy Temple, Velachery.

2.The petitioner states that he is the Managing Trustee of A/m.Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Madippakkam, situated in Natham S.No.179, Madippakkam Village, Sholinganallur Taluk at Vembuliamman Koil Street, Madippakkam, Chennai. It is the case of the petitioner that the said Temple was constructed by Sri Kothandaramasamy Baktha Jana Sabha

constituted by petitioner's father and his relatives. The daily regular poojas of the said Temple are performed and there are three other employees for maintenance. It is the contention of the petitioner that the Temple is administered by the members of Sri Kothandaramasamy Baktha Jana Sabha, Madippakkam. The Sabha had filed an Original Application in O.A.No.3 of 1994 before the Joint Commissioner of HR & CE Department/2nd respondent under Section 64(1) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, for settling a Scheme for the administration of the Temple and a Scheme was settled by order dated 21.12.2005. 3.While so, it is the grievance of the petitioner that the 3rd respondent, who is the Executive Officer of A/m.Yoganarasimhaswamy Temple, Velachery, has made a claim through a letter dated 04.01.

2024 and has furnished a copy of the impugned proceedings of the 1st respondent, stating that A/m.Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Madippakkam, is made as a SubTemple of A/m.Yoganarasimhaswamy Temple, Velachery. Therefore, challenging the same, the present writ petition has been filed.

4.Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner and other members are the Hereditary Trustees of A/m.Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Madippakkam, and the Temple was constructed by the Sabha out of their own funds. The members of the Sabha have filed an application in O.A.No.3 of 1994 before the 2nd respondent for framing a Scheme for better administration of the Temple and a preliminary order had also been passed on 10.08.2025 framing a Draft Scheme for the administration and maintenance of the Temple and hitherto, the Temple is being smoothly administered by the petitioner and other members. However, in such circumstances, to the surprise of the petitioner and other members who are in administration of the Temple, the impugned order has been passed by the 1st respondent, pursuant to the order dated 07.06.

2021 made in a writ petition in W.P.No.574 of 2015, to which, the petitioner is not a party nor any notice sent to the petitioner or the members of the Temple. Hence, the learned counsel would submit that the impugned order has to be quashed. 5.

finalised nor published. Hence, he would submit that the petitioner may be permitted to approach the Joint Commissioner-III, Mylapore, for framing a Final Scheme for the administration of A/m.Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Madippakkam.

6.Having regard to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, the petitioner is permitted to approach the Joint Commissioner-III of HR & CE Department, Mylapore, Chennai, and file an appropriate application for finalising the Scheme for better administration of A/m.Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Madippakkam. It is made clear that the present impugned order of the 1st respondent will be subject to the result of the application to be filed by the petitioner for settling a Final Scheme. Liberty is granted to the petitioner to work out his remedy after framing of the Final Scheme.

7.With these directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 04.03.2026 mkn

Internet : Yes Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Nonspeaking order To 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Admn) Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

3.The Joint Commissioner-III, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Mylapore, Chennai.

4.The Executive Officer, A/m. Yoganarasimhaswamy Temple, Having office at A/m.Dhandeeswarar Temple, Velachery, Chennai - 600 042.

M. DHANDAPANI, J.

mkn 04.03.2026