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Madras High CourtWP/4454/2026disposed of with direction

R.Madeshwaran v. The District Collector

2026-04-01Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 01-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and WMP No.4967 of 2026 R.Madeshwaran S/o.Raji No.4/41 Rice Mill Street Sanniyaasigundu Main Road Salem-636015 ..Petitioner Vs

1. The District Collector Office of the District Collector Salem District.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer Office of The Revenue Divisional Officer Salem Division, Salem District.

3. The Tahsildar Office of The Tahsildar Salem Taluk, Salem District.

4. K.Jayarani, W/o.Kullappan

5. K.Rahul, S/o.Kullappan both are residing at 4/296 Chinna Thaayammal Nagar Sanniyaasikundu Post Salem District- 636015.

..Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents No.1 to 3 to take necessary actions to forbear the respondents no.4 and 5 or any other individual from recognising or claiming or projecting themselves as Dharmakartha / Trustee of Arulmigu Sri Om Sakthi Kaliamman Temple, Sanniyasikundu Village, Salem District until the peace committee proceedings, pursuant to the notice in Na.Ka.No. 1413/2025/A2 pending before the 2nd respondent is decided. For Petitioner:

Mr.L.Ramanathan For Respondent(s):

Mr.M.Rajendiran for R1 to R3 Additional Government Pleader Mr.C.Deepak Kumar for R4 & R5

ORDER

This petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents No.1 to 3 to take necessary actions to forbear the respondents no.4 and 5 or any other individual from recognising or claiming or projecting themselves as Dharmakartha / Trustee of Arulmigu Sri Om Sakthi Kaliamman Temple, Sanniyasikundu Village, Salem District until the peace committee proceedings, pursuant to the notice in Na.Ka.No. 1413/2025/A2 pending before the 2nd respondent is decided.

2.The case of the petitioner is that the subject temple is situated on patta land belonging to one Kuruva Boyar, who belongs to the Boyar Community. He purchased a land from one Angappa Gounder on 25.07.1946 by way of a registered sale deed vide Doc.No.4251 of 1946 and constructed the said temple on a portion of his own land. The said temple was administered for several decades by appointing one among them as "Oor Boyan". In the year 2025, the 4th and 5th respondents, who are one of the descendants of the said Angappa Gounder, without any legal authority, have unlawfully started claiming themselves as Dharmakartha of the temple and interfered with its administration by using their political power. This resulted in disputes and law and order issues. The villagers and members of the Boyar Community raised serious objections.

Consequently, a complaint was made, and a peace committee meeting was conducted by the 3rd respondent on 14.02.2025. However, on 15.02.2025, the terms of the concluded peace committee were changed by writing and an order was passed by the 3rd respondent. Therefore, the petitioner sent a complaint dated 17.02.2025 to the 1st respondent and thereby, the 2nd respondent issued a notice dated 22.04.2025 to conduct peace committee before him. But, the issue was not solved. Pending the same, the 4th and 5th respondents had interfered with the administration. Therefore, the petitioner sent a representation dated 27.10.2025 to the 2nd respondent and subsequently, another representation dated 17.11.

themselves as "Dharmakartha / Trustee". Despite the said representations, neither the peace committee proceedings before the 2nd respondent was resolved nor the 4th and 5th respondents has stopped interfering with the temple affairs. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed. 3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that this Court may issue a direction to the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 17.11.2025 and pass appropriate orders within a reasonable time to be fixed by this Court.

4.The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 would submit that they will consider the petitioner's representation and pass appropriate orders within a reasonable time to be fixed by this Court.

5.Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 17.11.2025 on merits and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders, after providing

an opportunity of hearing to the concerned parties, within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 6.With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

01-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Uma To

1. The District Collector Office Of The District Collector Salem District.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer Office Of The Revenue Divisional Officer Salem Division, Salem District.

3. The Tahsildar Office Of The Tahsildar Salem Taluk, Salem District.

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

Uma WP No. 4454 of 2026 and WMP No.4967 of 2026 01-04-2026