K.Sivagnanam v. The Commissioner

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 27.10.2025 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE P.B. BALAJI W.P.No.40123 of 2025 and WMP No.45063 of 2025 K.Sivagnanam ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Uttamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai.

2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Erode -11.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to furnish the list of 24 documents filed in O.A.No.5 of 2021 (previously O.A.No.20 of 1999) before the 2nd respondent by considering the petitioner's copy application No.701 of 2025 dated 23.01.2025 and his representation dated 14.07.2025 and 10.09.2025 addressed to the respondents.

For Petitioner : Mr.N.Manoharan For Respondents : Mr.K.Karthikeyan, Government Advocate

ORDER

The Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents to furnish 24 documents filed in O.A.No.5 of 2021 (previously O.A.No.20 of 1999) before the 2nd respondent by considering the petitioner's copy application No.701 of 2025 dated 23.01.2025 and his representations dated 14.07.2025 and 10.09.2025 addressed to the respondents.

2. Mr.K.Karthikeyan, learned Government Advocate takes notice for the respondents.

3. By consent, this Writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

4. The grievance of the petitioner is that the proceedings were initiated under Section 63 A of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, in O.A.No.20 of 1999 to declare that the temple is not a religious temple and the said proceedings were transferred to the Joint Commissioner, Erode and renumbered as O.A.No.5 of 2021. The petitioner has made a copy application in C.A.No.701 of 2025 on 23.01.2025 before the second respondent seeking copies of documents

that was filed originally in O.A.No.20 of 1999. The second respondent was permitted only three documents to be copied and refused to give the copies of the remaining documents.

5. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents stated that the respondents are prepared to give Photostat copies of all the documents that are requested by the petitioner.

6. It is made clear that the second respondent shall issue certified copies of all the documents required by the petitioner which are available on the file the second respondent, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 27.10.2025 Index : Yes/No Speaking Order : Yes/No : Yes / No vum

P.B. BALAJI ,J., vum To:

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Uttamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai.

2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Erode -11.

W.P.No.40123 of 2025 and WMP No.45063 of 2025 27.10.2025