← Library
Madras High CourtWP/31037/2025disposed of

K.Praveen Kumar v. The Commissioner

2025-08-18Honourable Mr Justice N. Anand Venkatesh6 pages

1/6

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 18-08-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH and WMP No. 34779 of 2025 K.Praveen Kumar Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Commissioner Hind Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No 119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakka, Chennai 600 034 2.The Joint Commissioner Coimbatore Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Commercial Tax Office Complex, Dr. Balasundaram Road, Coimbatore 641 018 3.The Inspector of Police Vadavalli Police Station, Coimbatore District 4.R. Muthusamy 5.K.C. Krishnaraj 6.P. Marudhchalam

2/6 7.L. N Ganesan 8.S. Suresh Kumar Respondent(s) PRAYER Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st to 3rd respondents to take appropriate action against 5th to 8th Respondents for obstructing the petitioner from rendering service as a Poojari in Arulmigu Karupparayan and Mariamman Temple, Linganoor, Perur Taluk, Coimbatore District. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.P.A.Sai Govindaraja For Respondent(s):

Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan Special Government Pleader for R1 and R2 Mr.V.Meganathan Government Advocate for R3

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed for issue of writ of mandamus directing respondents 1 to 3 to take appropriate action against respondents 5 to 8 who are obstructing the petitioner from rendering the service as a Poojari in Arulmigu Karupparayan and Mariamman Temple, Linganoor, Perur Taluk, Coimbatore District.

3/6 2.Heard Mr.P.A.Sai Govindaraja, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner and Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan, learned Special Government Pleader appearing on behalf of respondents 1 and 2. 3.It is seen from records that the 8th respondent was claiming to be the hereditary Poojari and his claim came to be rejected and the petitioner came to be appointed as the Poojari of the temple through proceedings dated 10.02.2025. The grievance of the petitioner is that in spite of the petitioner being appointed as the Poojari, respondents 5 to 7 are obstructing the petitioner from performing the function of the Poojari in support of the 8th respondent. It is under these circumstances, the present writ petition has been filed before this Court.

4.In the considered view of this Court, once the petitioner has been appointed as the Poojari, he cannot be prevented from performing that function. If anyone is aggrieved, they can only challenge the proceedings and they cannot

4/6 physically prevent the petitioner from performing the functioning as Poojari. The petitioner is not able to perform the function from February 2025 onwards. 5.In view of the above, there shall be a direction to the 2nd respondent to ensure that the petitioner is permitted to do the function of the Poojari in the temple and if any obstruction is made by the private respondent, the 3rd respondent is directed to provide necessary protection and to take action against the concerned persons.

6.This writ petition is disposed of with the above directions. No Costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 18-08-2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes ssr

5/6 To

1. The Commissioner Hind Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No 119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakka, Chennai 600 034 2.The Joint Commissioner Coimbatore Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Commercial Tax Office Complex, Dr. Balasundaram Road, Coimbatore 641 018 3.The Inspector of Police Vadavalli Police Station, Coimbatore District

6/6 N.ANAND VENKATESH J.

ssr 18-08-2025