T.R.Ramesh v. The Principal Secretary

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 21.07.2023 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR.SANJAY V.GANGAPURWALA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P.D.AUDIKESAVALU T.R.Ramesh .. Petitioner-in Person Vs 1.The Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Dept., Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

2.The Commissioner, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai-600 034.

3.The Assistant Commissioner, (Nellaiappar Swamy Temple) Tirunelveli 4.The Assistant Commissioner, (Sri Jambukeswara Swamy Temple) Tiruchirapalli.

5.The Assistant Commissioner, (Sri Nithyakalyana Perumal Temple, Tiruvidanthai) Kanchipuram.

.. Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents, their representatives, subordinates, agents or men not to perform "Mahakumbhabishekam"

or any other such religious ceremony/ritual/function in temples where Board of Trustees having the requisite qualification under Section 25-A of the Tamil Nadu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 are not functioning, including Sri Kantimati Ambal Sameta Sri Nellaiapparswamy Temple, Tirunelveli Town, Sri Nithyakalyana Perumal Temple, Tiruvidanthai, Kanchipuram District and Sri Alikandeswari Sameta Sri Jambukeswaraswamy Temple, Tiruvanaikaval, Tiruchirapalli District.

For the Petitioner : Mr.T.R.Ramesh Petitioner-in-person For the Respondents : Mr.K.Karthikeyan Government Advocate

ORDER

(Order of the court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) We have heard Mr.T.R.Ramesh, the petitioner appearing in person, and Mr.K.Karthikeyan, learned Government Advocate for the respondents.

2. The petitioner, appearing in person virtually, submits that most of the prayers sought in the writ petition have become infructuous. He also seeks further relief that "Mahakumbhabishekam" shall not be conducted by the Government officials and it shall be conducted by the Trustees only.

3. The petitioner may make such a prayer as and when an occasion arises.

4. With the aforesaid observation, the writ petition is disposed of. There will be no order as to costs. Consequently, W.M.P.No.8430 of 2018 is closed.

(S.V.G., CJ.) (P.D.A., J.) 21.07.2023 Index :

Yes/No :

Yes/No bbr

To 1.The Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Dept., Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

2.The Commissioner, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai-600 034.

3.The Assistant Commissioner, (Nellaiappar Swamy Temple) Tirunelveli 4.The Assistant Commissioner, (Sri Jambukeswara Swamy Temple) Tiruchirapalli.

5.The Assistant Commissioner, (Sri Nithyakalyana Perumal Temple, Tiruvidanthai) Kanchipuram.

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND P.D.AUDIKESAVALU, J.

bbr 21.07.2023