Sri Pon Muthukumariamman Temple Turst v. The Commissioner
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 17-03-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and WMP Nos.11887 and 11891 of 2026 Sri Pon Muthukumariamman Temple Trust B. Mallapuram, Represented by its President, P. Arumugam, S/o. Pachiyappan, B. Mallapuram Village, Pappireddipatti Taluk, Dharmapuri District ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Chennai-600 034
2. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Dharmapuri District
3. The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Dharmapuri District ..Respondent(s)
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus,calling for the records pertaining to the impugned proceedings passed by the 3rd Respondent in Se.Mu.Na.Ka.No.3354/2024/A2 dated 17.02.2026 and quash the same as illegal and arbitrary and consequently forbear the Respondents from in any manner interfering with the administration and management of the petitioner temples Arulmigu Ponmuthumariyamman Temple, Arulmigu Ponvinayagar Temple, and Arulmigu Umamaheshwari Sametha Arunachleswara Temple situates at B.Mallapuram, Pappireddipatti Taluk, Dharmapuri District. For Petitioners:
Mr.V.P.Kamalanathan, Senior Counsel for Mr.J.Pradeep For Respondents:
Mr.S.Ravichandran (HR & CE) Additional Government Pleader
ORDER
This petition has been filed challenging the impugned order passed by the 3rd respondent dated 17.02.2026 seeking to quash the same as illegal and arbitrary, and consequently to forbear the respondents from in any manner interfering with the administration and management of the petitioner temples Arulmigu Ponmuthumariyamman Temple, Arulmigu Ponvinayagar Temple, and Arulmigu Umamaheshwari Sametha Arunachleswara Temple situates at B.Mallapuram, Pappireddipatti Taluk, Dharmapuri District.
2.The case of the petitioner that the petitioner is the President of the temples, namely, Arulmigu Ponmuthumariyamman Temple, Arulmigu Ponvinayagar Temple, and Arulmigu Umamaheshwari Sametha Arunachleswara Temple situates at B.Mallapuram, Pappireddipatti Taluk, Dharmapuri District, comprised in Survey Nos.43/3A and 42/3B. Arulmigu Ponmuthumariyamman Temple was established in the year 1980 by the petitioner's ancestors out of their own funds on land donated for religious purposes. After assuming administration, the petitioner further developed and expanded the premises and established Arulmigu Ponvinayagar Temple and Arulmigu Umamaheshwari Sametha Arunachleswara Temple within the same campus. For better administration, the Trust namely Sri Ponmuthumariamman Temple Trust was registered under Document No.
03/2025 before the Sub Registrar, Pappireddipatti. The temple is not a notified institution under Section 46 of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act 1959. The temple do not receive any grant or financial assistance from the Government and its administration depends solely upon voluntary contributions of devotees. The administration of the temples has been smooth and peaceful for several decades without any allegations of mismanagement or vacancy in trusteeship. In the meanwhile, certain individuals namely former priest Balaji and one Ganesan, after being removed for misconduct and unauthorised collection of funds, started making false and defamatory allegations and instigated the complaint against the temple administration due to personal enmity.
such complaints, the respondents initiated proceedings. In this regard, the petitioner filed a suit in O.S No.9 of 2026 on the file of the Sub Court, Pappireddipatti, seeking the relief of declaration that the temples exclusively belong to the petitioner Trust and for a permanent injunction, and the same is pending. During the pendency of the said suit, the 3rd respondent passed the impugned order dated 17.02.2026 appointing a Fit Person. Challenging the same, the present writ petition has been filed. 3.The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that this Court may permit the petitioner to file an interlocutory application in the pending suit in O.S No.9 of 2026 as against the impugned order dated 17.02.
2026 and also grant liberty to the petitioner to file an appropriate application before the Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Dharmapuri District, the 2nd respondent herein, seeking recognition of the petitioner as a hereditary trustee in the manner known to law. 4.In view of the above, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this Court is inclined to grant liberty to the petitioner to work out their remedy before the appropriate Civil Court as well as the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, in the manner known to law.
the appointment of the Fit Person shall be subject to the result of the civil suit and any application filed before the appropriate Civil Court. 5.Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 17-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Uma
To
1. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Chennai-600 034
2. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Dharmapuri District
3. The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Dharmapuri District
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
Uma WP No. 10955 of 2026 and WMP Nos.11887 & 11891 of 2026 17-03-2026