R. Nandhakumar v. The Commissioner Hr And Ce
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 24-06-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY and W.M.P.No.25853 of 2026 R. Nandhakumar ..Petitioner Vs
1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Mahatma Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.
2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Thiruvannamalai.
3. The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Krishnagiri.
4. V.Shoba ..Respondents PRAYER:- Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for an issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to forbear the fourth respondent from taking charge as Hereditary Trustee of Arulmigu Thimmaraya Swamy Temple, Angusagiri Kothur Village, Soolagiri Taluk, Krishangiri District, till disposal of the appeal in A.P.No.114 of 2024 on the file of the first respondent. For Petitioner :
Mr.J. Bharathiraja For Respondents :
Mr.M.Veerabathran Prasanth Government's Counsel (HR & CE) for R1-3 Mr.G.M.Anantha Kumar for R-4
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed to forbear the fourth respondent from taking charge as Hereditary Trustee of Arulmigu Thimmaraya Swamy Temple, Angusagiri Kothur Village, Soolagiri Taluk, Krishangiri District, till the disposal of the appeal in A.P.No.114 of 2024 pending on the file of the first respondent.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner has filed an appeal dated 18.11.2024 before the first respondent to set aside the order dated 10.09.2024 passed in M.P.No.18 of 2024 on the file of the Joint Commissioner, HR & CE Department, Thiruvannamalai, appointing the fourth respondent as the Trustee of Arulmigu Thimmarayaswamy Thirukoil. However, the said appeal was not considered, as on date. Hence, this writ petition.
3. Mr.M.Veerabathran Prasanth, learned Government's Counsel takes notice on behalf of the respondents 1 to 3 and submitted that the petitioner's appeal dated 18.11.2024 will be considered within a period of 4 weeks.
4. Mr.G.M.Anantha Kumar, learned counsel appearing for the fourth respondent submitted that the petitioner's period of one year as Hereditary Trustee was already completed. The appointment of hereditary trusteeship of the fourth respondent was made as early as 18.11.2024 and by rotation, the
fourth respondent is entitled to function as Hereditary Trustee subsequent to the petitioner's period. Further, the petitioner cannot seek such a prayer to forbear the fourth respondent from taking charge as Hereditary Trustee of Arulmigu Thimmaraya Swamy Temple, Angusagiri Kothur Village, Soolagiri Taluk, Krishangiri District. Therefore, he prays for dismissal of this Writ Petition.
5. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
6. Considering the submission of the learned counsel on either side and also the fact that though the writ petitioner sought to forbear the fourth respondent from taking charge as Hereditary Trustee of Arulmigu Thimmaraya Swamy Temple, Angusagiri Kothur Village, Soolagiri Taluk, Krishangiri District, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the first respondent to dispose of the petitioner's appeal dated 18.11.2024 in A.P.No.114 of 2024 on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
7. With the aforesaid direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected writ miscellaneous petition is closed. 24-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order
SRM KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.
SRM To
1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Mahatma Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.
2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Thiruvannamalai.
3. The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Krishnagiri.
24-06-2026