A.K.Saravanan v. The Joint Commissioner

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED:17.10.2025 C O R A M THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI A.K.Saravanan ... Petitioner Vs 1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department, Erode-638 011.

2.Executive Officer, A/M.Athanur Amman Temple, Athanur Ayeepalayam, Athanur, Rasipuam Taluk, Nammal District-636301 ... Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to dispose of the interim application I.A.P.R.No.9192 of 2025/AA1 in O.A. No:4 of 2025 in time bound manner in the procedure known to law. For Petitioner : Mr.V.S.Usharani For Respondents : Mr.S.Ravichandran, Additional Government Pleader (HR &CE) 1/5

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to teh 1st respondent to dispose of the interim application in I.A.PR.No.9192 of 2025/AA1 in O.A.No.4 of 2025 within the time that may be stipulated by this Court.

2. Mr.s.Ravichandran, learned Additional Government Pleader (HR & CE) takes notice on behalf of the respondents.

3. It is the case of the petitioner that he is a devotee of A/M.Athanur Amman Temple and he had filed O.A.No.4 of 2025 along with five others before the 1st respondent seeking permission for performing certain rituals which have been in customary practice for more than several decades. Pending O.A, the petitioner has filed an interim application in I.A.PR.No.9192 of 2025/AA1 in O.A.No.4 of 2025 seeking to permit the petitioner to perform the "Pongal festival" by following their own customary practice which was existing since long time till before 2023. However, the same has not been considered so far. Hence, the petitioner has come up with the present Writ Petition.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that it would suffice if this Court issues a direction to the 1st respondent to dispose of the interim application filed by the petitioner in I.A.PR.No.9192 of 2025/AA1 in O.A.No.4 of 2025 within the reasonable time that may be stipulated by this Court. 2/5

5.Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that the petitioner's interim application will be considered within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

6. In view of the limited relief sought for by the petitioner, this Court without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, directs the 1st respondent to dispose of the I.A.PR.No.9192 of 2025/AA1 filed by the petitioner in O.A.No.4 of 2025 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 any other interested parties.

7. This Writ Petition stands disposed of with the aforesaid direction. There shall be no order as to costs.

17.10.2025 Index : Yes / No Speaking Order / Non-speaking order Nhs 3/5

To 1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department, Erode-638 011.

2.Executive Officer, A/M.Athanur Amman Temple, Athanur Ayeepalayam, Athanur, Rasipuam Taluk, Nammal District-636301 4/5

M.DHANDAPANI, J Nhs 17.10.2025 5/5