K.R.Ramachandran, v. A/M. Santhanaramaswamy Temple

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 05-01-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and Rev.Appln.(Writ) No.253 of 2025 K.R.Ramachandran ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1.A/m. Santhanaramaswamy Temple Needamangalam(TM014471) Rep by its Executive Officer, Mrs. Rajeshwari, Needamangalam and Taluk, Tiruvarur District.

2.The Joint Commissioner, HR & CE Department, Nagapattinam.

(Suo Motu impleaded as 2nd respondent as per the Order of the Hon'ble Court made in Cont.P.No.2335/2025, dated 08.12.2025) ..Contemnor(s) Prayer: The Contempt Petition is filed under Section 11 of the Contempt Of Courts Act, to punish the respondent for having committed willful disobedience of the Order of this Hon'ble High Court made in W.P.No. 8265 of 2025 dated 10.03.2025.

For Petitioner(s):

M/s. P.Vijendran For Contemnor(s):

Mr.R.Baranidharan (for R1);

Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan, Spl. Govt. Pleader (for R2) __________Page 1 of 6

ORDER

The present contempt petition raises two distinct issues, first, the compliance regarding the grant of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the petitioner by the 1st respondent, and second, to place on record as to what steps have been taken in respect of the other individuals who are not at all paying any rent.

2.With reference to the second issue concerning defaulting occupants of the temple property, the respondents have today submitted a compliance report. The report indicates that proceedings under Sections 78 and 79 of the HR and CE Act, which govern the eviction of encroachers, have been initiated against the 18 of occupants who are not paying rent. A formal application, in MP No. 1217 of 2026, has been filed following this Court's previous direction in the contempt petition, and these documents are formally taken on record. 3.The concerned authority, adjudicating MP No. 1217 of 2026, is hereby directed to consider and dispose of the application as expeditious as possible and pass final orders within a period of four (4) months from the date of receipt of the web copy of this order.

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4.As far as the grant of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the petitioner is concerned, the impugned order not only granted the NOC but also significantly modified the financial terms by increasing the advance donation amount by five times and proposing an increase in the monthly rent. Regarding these enhanced financial stipulations, these changes shall be treated suo motu as a fixation of fair rent.

5.Consequently, the petitioner is granted liberty to challenge this increase of rent by filing an appropriate statutory appeal before the competent authorities, in accordance with the procedure established by law. 6.If the petitioner opts to file an appeal against the revised financial terms, the same shall be entertained by the appropriate authority as being "within time", provided it is filed within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of the web copy of this order. The said appeal shall thereafter be dealt with and disposed of on its own merits, in the manner known to law. __________Page 3 of 6

7.In light of the preceding observations, and having taken on record that the No Objection Certificate (NOC) has been granted to the petitioner and that he has initiated the application process for an electricity connection, the present Contempt Petition stands closed.

8.Consequently, connected Review Application, filed to review the order in W.P.No.8265 of 2025 dated 10.03.2025 is disposed of with the above observations.

05-01-2026 SHA __________Page 4 of 6

To 1.A/m. Santhanaramaswamy Temple Needamangalam(TM014471) Rep by its Executive Officer, Mrs. Rajeshwari, Needamangalam and Taluk, Tiruvarur District.

2.The Joint Commissioner, HR & CE Department, Nagapattinam.

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D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

SHA 05-01-2026 __________Page 6 of 6