Madras High CourtWP/9981/2024disposed of with direction

Amudha v. The District Collector

2025-11-07Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 07.11.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Amudha .. Petitioner Vs.

1. The District Collector, Collector's Office, Erode District.

2. The District Revenue Officer, Collector's Office, Erode District.

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Gobichettipalayam, Erode District.

4. The Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, Nambiyur.

5. The Village Administrative Officer, Kosanam Village, Gobichettipalayam, Erode District.

1/6

6. The Dharmakarta, Annamaar Karuparaayan Temple, Rep. by Mr. Vanjinadar, S/o. Pazhanimoopan, No.78/102, Sakthi Kadu, Alampalayam, Kosanam Village, Suriyappampalayam Post, Nambiyur Taluk, Gobichettipalayam, Erode, Tamil Nadu - 638 458 .

.. Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 4 to consider the representation dated 18.12.2023 and implement the decision of the Peace Committee Proceedings dated 23.06.2022 which was presided by the fourth respondent and further direct the fifth respondent to handover one of the three set of keys pertaining to the family deity temple and permit the petitioner family members to worship the family deity of petitioner's husband without any hindrance.

For Petitioner :

Mr. Velmuruga Parthiban for Ms.K.Chandra For Respondent-1 :

Mrs. S.Anitha Special Government Pleader For Respondent - 2 :

Mr.P.Sesubalan Raja

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents 1 to 4 to consider the representation dated 18.12.2023 and implement the decision of the Peace Committee Proceedings dated 23.06.2022 which was presided over by the fourth respondent and further direct the fifth respondent 2/6

to handover one of the three set of keys pertaining to the family deity temple and permit the petitioner family members to worship the family deity of petitioner's husband without any hindrance.

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was married to one Madhavan on 23.01.2013. The petitioner and her husband belong to different castes. Their marriage was registered under the Special Marriage Act before the Sub Registrar, Nambiyur. As the petitioner belongs to different community, the patriarchal cousins of her husband denounced them with the caste name and prevented from worshipping their family deity. Therefore, the petitioner approached the respondents 1 to 4 to restrain the sixth respondent from preventing the petitioner to worship the family deity and ensure their right to worship which lead to conduct of a Peace Committee Meeting. Accordingly, the fourth respondent conducted a Peace Committee Meeting on 23.06.

2022 wherein the petitioner and the rival party have amicably settled the issue by arriving at a conclusion that both parties can worship the family deity but the articles or belongings of the temple should not be used. Thereafter, the rival party received two sets of keys from the fifth respondent. But the fifth respondent refused to give one set of keys to the petitioner.

made representations dated 18.12.2023 to the respondents 1 to 4 to implement the decisions arrived at between the parties in the Peace Committee Meeting dated 23.06.2022. Since no action was taken on the representation made by the petitioner, the present Writ Petition has been filed.

3. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 5 submitted that the temple in question situate in a private patta land and both the parties have locked the temple with separate keys thereby preventing the others from worshipping the deity in the temple. Further, based on the report of the Police Department only, the Peace Committee Meeting was conducted by the fourth respondent on 23.06.2022 to resolve the law and order problem and both parties were advised to abide by the decisions arrived at between them in the Peace Committee Meeting. Therefore, as the temple is in a private land, the petitioner has to approach the Civil Court to resolve the dispute between them. Hence, she prayed for dismissal of this Writ Petition.

Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 5. 4/6

5. Admittedly, the petitioner has not made any right over the property in which the temple situate but she made a claim of worshipping the family deity along with her family members, as they were prevented by the rival parties, particularly, the fifth respondent, citing the petitioner's caste. Therefore, she made representations to the respondents 1 to 4 on 18.12.2023 seeking implementation of the decisions arrived at between the parties in the Peace Committee Meeting held on 23.06.2022.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also the limited relief sought in this Writ Petition, the fourth respondent is directed to implement the decisions arrived at between the parties in the Peace Committee Meeting held on 23.06.2022, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

07.11.2025 SRM Index :Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet :Yes :Yes/No 5/6

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

SRM To