P. Senthil Nathan, v. Mrs. K.Renuka Devi,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 01.07.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SUBRAMANIAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Contempt Petition No. 1186 of 2025 P.Senthil Nathan

...Petitioner

Vs.

Mrs.K.Renuka Devi, The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, Chennai Zone-II, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.

...Respondent

Prayer: Contempt Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, seeking to punish the respondent for willful disobedience of the order made in W.A.No.3697 of 2024 dated 20.01.2025. For Respondent : Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan Special Government Pleader for HR & CE For Petitioner : Mr.R.Abdul Mubeen

O R D E R

(Order of the Court was made by R.SUBRAMANIAN, J.) By order dated 20.01.2025, while disposing of the writ appeal recording the statement of Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarjan, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the HR & CE Department, we had 1/4

directed that the charge of the Temple will be handed over to the petitioner / Mr.P.Senthil Nathan on or before 26.01.2025.

2. It is now claimed that while the fit person appointed by the HR & CE Department had handed over charge to him, the Executive Officer has not handed over charge. The Executive Officer appointed under Section 45 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act does not function as a Trustee. It is not disputed by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner that the Department can invoke Section 45 in respect of Temples, which are governed by Heriditary Trustee also. Therefore, the Heriditary Trustee and the Executive Officer can work along side.

3. Hence, we see no reason to entertain the contempt petition. This Contempt Petition is therefore, dismissed.

(R.S.M., J.) (C.K., J.) 01.07.2025 kkn Internet : Yes / No Index: Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order To:

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Mrs.K.Renuka Devi, The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, Chennai Zone-II, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.

R.SUBRAMANIAN, J.

and 3/4

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

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