Ramani @ Mohanambal v. The Commissioner
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Dated: 09.10.2025 C O R A M THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Ramani @ Mohanambal ... Petitioner Vs 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, 109, Uthamar Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai.
2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board, Chennai.
3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board, Egmore, Chennai.
4.The Thakkar/Fit Person, Arulmigu Muthumaariyamman Thirukovil, No.59/129, Kalathiappa Mudali Street, Choolai, Chennai-600 112. ... Respondents Page No:1/6
PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the petitioners representation dated 04.09.2025 and to permit the petitioner to undertake the proposed Thiruppani (Temple renovation) and Kudamuzhuku (Consecration) in accordance with law, within a stipulated period as fixed by this Honble Court on merits.
For Petitioner : M/s.G.Sumitra For Respondents : Mr.K.Karthikeyan, Government Advocate (HR & CE)
O R D E R
The present petition has been filed by the petitioner seeking a direction to the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 4.9.2025 and to permit the petitioner to undertake the proposed Thiruppani (temple renovation) and Kudamuzhukku (consecration) and pass orders within a stipulated time frame.
2. Mr.K.Karthikeyan, learned Government Advocate (HR and CE) takes notice for the respondents and has no objection in this Court passing orders in the writ petition.
3. It is the case of the petitioner that after the demise of his mother in the year 2014, the petitioner is looking after the administration of the temple as hereditary trustee and Maha Kumbabhishekam was performed in the year 2000. Page No:2/6
However, without appointing the petitioner as the hereditary trustee of the temple, the 3rd respondent appointed an Executive Officer aggrieved by which the petitioner filed a revision before the Joint Commissioner challenging the appointment of a fit person and seeking restoration of the hereditary rights. Upon such appointment, the fit person is pressurising the petitioner to hand over the affairs of the temple. Since Thiruppani and Kudamuzhukku has to be performed, as it was done in the year 2000, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 4.9.2025 for granting permission to undertake structural rejuvenation of the temple and for consecration, however no orders have been passed till date on the said representation and, therefore, left with no option, the petitioner has filed the present petition.
4. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that though the larger relief of appointment of the petitioner as hereditary trustee is also put forth in the present petition, it would suffice if this court directs the respondents to consider and pass orders on the representation of the petitioner and further grant liberty to the petitioner to work out his remedy insofar as hereditary trusteeship is concerned within a time frame stipulated by this Court. Page No:3/6
5. In view of the limited relief sought for, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the petitioner to submit a fresh representation along with a demand draft for a sum of Rs.5 Lakhs before the 2nd respondent and on receipt of the same the 2nd respondent shall dispose of the representation permitting the petitioner to do Thiruppani and Consecration of the temple in accordance with law and the petitioner shall follow the directions that may be given by the 2nd respondent for the performance of Thiruppani and Consecration of the temple. Insofar as the status of hereditary trusteeship and challenge of appointment of fit person is concerned, liberty is given to the petitioner to work out his remedy independent of the present lis in the manner known to law.
6. This writ petition is disposed of with the aforesaid observations and directions. There shall be no order as to costs. 09.10.2025 Index : Yes / No Speaking Order / Non-speaking order Nhs Page No:4/6
To 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, 109, Uthamar Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai.
2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board, Chennai.
3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board, Egmore, Chennai.
Page No:5/6
M.DHANDAPANI, J.
Nhs 09.10.2025 Page No:6/6