Baskaran Kanagavel v. The Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 24-04-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Baskaran Kanagavel S/o.Kanagavel, Residing at No.180-6, Perumal Koil St, Akkur, Tharangabadi Taluk, Nagapattinam District-609 301 ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Secretary Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Secretariat, Ft. St. George, Cehnnai-600 009
2. The Commissioner Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Uttamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, ch-34
3. The Joint commissioner office of the Joint Commissioner, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Nagapattinam.
4. The Assistant Commissioner office of the Assistant Commissioner, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Krishnagiri.
5. The Executive officer Arulmigu Akkur Thanthondreeswarar Thirukovil, Tharangambadi Taluk, Mayiladuthurai District. ..Respondent(s) Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd respondent / Commissioner, HR and CE Department, Chennai, to consider and pass orders on the petitioners appeal dated 26.10.2025 on merits and in accordance with law, after affording due opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, within a time frame to be fixed by this Honble Court.
For Petitioner(s):
Ms.H.Lucia Priyadarshini For Respondent(s):
Mr.S.Ravichandran, AGP [HR & CE]
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the second respondent / Commissioner, HR and CE Department, Chennai, to consider and pass orders on the petitioner's appeal dated 26.10.2025 on merits and in accordance with law, after affording due opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, within a time frame as fixed by this Court.
2. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side. With the consent of both sides, the present Writ Petition is taken up for hearing at the admission stage itself.
3. It is the case of the petitioner that the petitioner was the elected President/Head of Non Hereditary Trustee Committee of the subject temple and renovation works were carried out by him in the said temple. While so, alleging irregularities against the petitioner, one S.Rajendran, Secretary of the Sirappuli Nayanar Weekly Worship Committee, he was removed by the second respondent through the impugned order dated 16.10.2025, as against which the petitioner preferred an appeal on 26.10.2025 and also sent reminders in this regard to the first respondent on 11.11.2025, 14.11.2025 and 04.12.2025, which evoked no response and hence, the present Writ Petition.
4. In view of the limited prayer sought for by the petitioner in this Writ Petition, there shall be a direction to the second respondent to consider the petitioner's appeal dated 26.10.2025 and to dispose of the same on merits and in accordance with law, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner as well as any other interested parties, if any, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Further, the petitioner is directed to send the copy of the representations made to the first respondent dated 11.11.2025, 14.11.2025 and 04.12.2025 to the second respondent.
5. With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
24-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order DP To
1. The Secretary Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Secretariat, Ft. St. George, Cehnnai-600 009
2. The Commissioner Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Uttamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, ch-34
3. the Joint commissioner office of the Joint Commissioner, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Nagapattinam.
4. The Assistant Commissioner office of the Assistant Commissioner, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Krishnagiri.
5. The Executive officer Arulmigu Akkur Thanthondreeswarar Thirukovil, Tharangambadi Taluk, Mayiladuthurai District.
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
DP 24-04-2026