Aalayam Kaapom Foundation, v. The Principal Secretary To Government,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 23.05.2025 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN W.M.P.No.21153 of 2025 in W.P.No.24017 of 2024 Aalayam Kaappom Foundation, Rep. by its President Mr.P.R.Ramanan, No.12, Nagarathinam Colony, Sir P.S.Sivasamy Salai, Mylapore, Chennai -600 004.

Petitioners Vs 1 The Principal Secretary to Government, Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Tourism, Culture & Religious Endowments, 2 The Commissioner, The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600034.

3 The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Forest Headquarters Building, Guindy, Chennai - 600 034.

4 The Secretary, The Tamil Nadu State Biodiversity Board, TBGB Campusm II Floor, Velacherry Main Road, Nanmangalam Post, Chennai -600 100.

5 The Superintending Archaeologist, Chennai Circle, Archaeological Survey of India, 6 Executive Officer / Fit Person, Arulmigu Sadaiyappasamy Temple, Kollenkovil Village, Kodumudi Taluk, Erode -636 151.

7 The Chairman, C.P.R Environment Education Centre , 1, Eldams Road, Alwarpet, Chennai -18.

Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed to pass an order of Ad-Interim Injunction restraining respondents from in any manner putting up or installing of replacement of "Suyambu Deity" or any other alteration at Shri Sadayappasamy Temple Kodumudi Taluk, Erode District till the disposal of the Writ petition.

For Petitioner:

Mr.D.Baskar For Respondents:

Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan, Special Government Pleader for R1 and R2 Mrs.V.S.Usha Rani for R6

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by G.R.Swaminathan, J.) Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan, learned Special Government Pleader appears for Respondent Nos.1, 2 and 6.

2. The petitioner has moved this Court to restrain the respondents from putting up / installing an idol in Shri Sadayappasamy Temple, Kodumudi Taluk, Erode District. The main idol is a Suyambu, The proposal is to install another idol. The dispute has arisen as to where the idol can be installed.

3. Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan, learned Special Government Pleader on instructions states that only after getting written opinion from Sri Pichai Gurukkal / Sri Rajabattar, who are admittedly Aagama, experts, a decision will be taken and implemented. He further states that the Suyambu Idol will not be removed.

4. Recording the said submission, the Writ Miscellaneous Petition is disposed of.

(G.R.S.,J.) (V.L.N., J.) 23.05.2025 vum/kkn

To 1 The Principal Secretary to Government, Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Tourism, Culture & Religious Endowments, 2 The Commissioner, The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600034.

3 The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Forest Headquarters Building, Guindy, Chennai - 600 034.

4 The Secretary, The Tamil Nadu State Biodiversity Board, TBGB Campusm II Floor, Velacherry Main Road, Nanmangalam Post, Chennai -600 100.

5 The Superintending Archaeologist, Chennai Circle, Archaeological Survey of India, 6 Executive Officer / Fit Person, Arulmigu Sadaiyappasamy Temple, Kollenkovil Village, Kodumudi Taluk, Erode -636 151.

7 The Chairman, C.P.R Environment Education Centre , 1, Eldams Road, Alwarpet, Chennai -18.

G.R.SWAMINATHAN ,J.

and V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J.

vum/kkn W.M.P.No.21153 of 2025 in W.P.No.24017 of 2024 23.05.2025