Madras High CourtWP/18145/2026dismissed

R.Karthikeyan v. Goverment Of Tamil Nadu

2026-06-03Honourable Mr Justice Krishnan Ramasamy7 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 03-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY R.Karthikeyan, 32, Sanmuga Nagar, Kootturavu Nagar Extension, Thepperumanallur, Tirunageswaram, Tirividaimarudhur Taluk, Thanjavur District-612 204.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. Government of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009.

2. The Commissioner for Land Administration, Department of Revenue of Disaster Management, Government of Tamil Nadu, 2nd Floor, Ezhilagam, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.

3. Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

4. District Collector, Tiruvarur-611004.

5. District Collector, Thanjavur-613 001.

6. Special Deputy Collector, Revenue Court, Mannargudi-614 001.

7. Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, ASN Colony, Melakottaivasal, Nagapattinam-611003.

8. Sri Kasi Mutt of Tirupanandal, Rep. by its Pontiff, His Holiness Sri La Sri Kasivasi Sabapathy Thambiran Swamigal, Kasimadam, Tirupanandal, Thanjavur District-612 504.

9. The Agent, Sri Kasi Mutt, Branch Office, Paingattur, Mannargudi Taluk, Tiruvarur Taluk-614 717.

..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of writ of mandamus, directing the respondents 1 and 2 to depute a team of officials of both the departments to conduct a joint intensive investigation into the accounts and affairs of the respondents-8 pertaining to Paingattur area for the period of 21 years from the Falsi year 1410 to the Fasli Year 1431, in a transparent manner, taking into account every submission made in the representation dated 06.07.2025 sent by the petitioner to the respondents-6 herein and submit the investigation report of that team before this Honble High Court for consideration.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.R.Natarajan For Respondent(s):

Mr.B.Pachaiyappan Government Counsel for R1, R2, R4 to R6 Mr.D.Yashwanth Rajan Government Advocate (HR & CE) for R3 & R7

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of writ of mandamus, directing the respondents 1 and 2 to depute a team of officials of both the departments to conduct a joint intensive investigation into the accounts and affairs of the respondents-8 pertaining to Paingattur area for the period of 21 years from the Fasli year 1410 to the Fasli Year 1431, in a transparent manner, taking into account every submission made in the representation dated 06.07.2025 sent by the petitioner to the respondents-6 herein and submit the investigation report of that team before this Court. 2.

The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is a cultivating tenant under the 8th respondent and he has been paying rent regularly without any default, while so, the respondents taking steps to evict the petitioner illegally as if the petitioner has failed to pay the rent as agreed. However, the learned counsel would submit that the petitioner has paid the entire amount and the same was not accounted in the books of the lessee therefore, he made a complaint before the Revenue Court to investigate the affairs of the 8th respondent. The Revenue Court not at all passed any order therefore, without any option, the petitioner approached this Court.

3. The learned counsel for the Official respondents would submit that the petitioner if at all paid the rent continuously, he is suppose to establish the same

before the appropriate Court. He would further submit that the petitioner is following the arm twisting tactics by making complaint to investigate into the accounts and affairs of the 8th respondent without establishing the payment of rent, by producing the proof of payments and receipts, which is beyond the jurisdiction of the petitioner. He would submit that unless otherwise the petitioner establishes the payment of rent in accordance with law, certainly, he is not entitled for the relief as sought for.

4. I have considered the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as the learned counsel appearing for the official respondents.

5. It appears that the petitioner is a cultivating tenant of the 8th respondent. The main grievance of the petitioner is that he has been paying rent without any default and he is also having all the receipt for the said payment but, the money paid has been misappropriated by the 8th respondent. He would further submit that he has given a complaint before the Revenue Court and Revenue Court has not considered passing any order so far with regard to the investigation as against the 8th respondent.

6. As far as the petitioner's grievance is concerned, if the 8th respondent is taking steps to evict the petitioner under the protest of non-payment of the

rent, in the event the petitioner has paid the entire amount without any outstanding, it is for the petitioner to establish that he has paid the rent by producing relevant receipts before the appropriate Court. Without doing so, making complaint before the Revenue Court for investigation against the 8th respondent as if the 8th respondent mismanaging the accounts and affairs of the Trust is nothing but, an arm twisting tactics. Such being the case, this Writ petition is devoid of merits and the same is liable to be dismissed.

7. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs. 03-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order KKN

1. The Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009.