Prasanna Venkatesan K v. The Joint Commissioner

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 15.10.2024 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI PrasannaVenkatesan K ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Chennai Division II, 130, Ramakrishna Mutt Salai, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.

2.The Fit Person, Arulmigu Adhi Kesava Perumal and Peyaazhvaar Temple, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st respondent to dispose the Original Application in O.A.No.6 of 2023 on merits within a fixed time frame.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.Srikanth For Respondents : Mr.S.Ravichandran Additional Government Pleader ***** Page No.1 of 4

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner seeking for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st respondent to dispose the Original Application in O.A.No.6 of 2023 on merits within a fixed time frame.

2. Mr.S.Ravichandran, learned Additional Government Pleader, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents. In view of the consent expressed by the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.

3. The case of the petitioner is that, there is a temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu viz., Arulmigu Adhi Kesava Perumal and Peyaazhvaar Temple situated at Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004 and the said temple comes under the supervisory jurisdiction of 1st respondent and the day-to-day affairs of the temple is looked after by the 2nd respondent. In order to streamline the management as per the spirit and intent of the legislations governing temples, the petitioner along with like-minded individuals as a devotee and the representatives of Thengalai Persuasion, have preferred an application in O.A.No.6 of 2023 u/s 64(5) Page No.2 of 4

of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Act before the 1st respondent seeking modification of the Scheme of administration. Since the said application was kept pending without any progress, the petitioner has filed this writ petition before this court for appropriate orders.

4. Though very many grounds have been raised in this writ petition, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that, it would suffice, if this court, , issues a direction to the 1st respondent to dispose the Original Application in O.A.No.6 of 2023 on merits, within a time frame that may be stipulated by this court.

5. Considering the limited request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the 1st respondent to hear the original application in O.A.No.6 of 2023 and dispose of the same, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after affording an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner and aggrieved persons, if any.

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M.DHANDAPANI, J.

sp

6. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

15.10.2024 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp To 1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Chennai Division II, 130, Ramakrishna Mutt Salai, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.

2.The Fit Person, Arulmigu Adhi Kesava Perumal and Peyaazhvaar Temple, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.

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