R.M.P. Palanimuthu v. The Commissioner
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 28.11.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE P.B. BALAJI W.P.No.46369 of 2025 & WMP.No.51738 of 2025 R.M.P.Palanimuthu ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai.
2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Collectorate Master Plan Complex, Villupuram - 605 602.
3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, 25/12, Thurrugam Road, MRN Nagar, Kallakurichi - 606 202.
4.The Executive Officer, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Dhroupathy Amman Temple, 1/7
Chinnasalem, Kallakurichi - 606 201.
5.The District Collector, O/o.Collectorate, Kallakurichi District - 606 201.
6.The Tahsildar, O/o.Tahsildar, Chinnasalem Taluk, Kallakurichi District - 606 201.
7.V.Arunachalam 8.P.Sellamuthu 9.G.Selladurai ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 227 of Constitution of India, to issue a writ of Mandamus, to direct respondents 1 to 6 to exercise their statutory powers forthwith and take necessary remedial action against the respondents 7 to 9 to forbear unauthorized construction, idol shifting and temple modifications at Arulmigu Selliyamman Temple, Rayappanur Village, Chinnasalem Taluk,, Kallakurichi District, without prior sanction or approval under HR & CE Act, 1959.
For Petitioner : M/s.V.Sasirekha For Respondents : Mr.S.Ravichandran Additional Govt. Pleader for RR1 to 4 Mr.M.Murali Govt. Advocate for RR5 & 6
ORDER
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This writ petition has been filed to direct the respondents 1 to 6 to exercise their statutory powers forthwith and take necessary remedial action against the respondents 7 to 9, to forbear unauthorized construction, idol shifting and temple modifications at Arulmigu Selliyamman Temple, Rayappanur Village, Chinnasalem Taluk,, Kallakurichi District, without prior sanction or approval under HR & CE Act, 1959. 2.The petitioner has given a representation to the respondents 1 to 6, calling upon the official respondents to take remedial action against the respondents 7 to 9, who have put up unauthorized construction and carried out modification to Arulmigu Selliyamman Temple, Rayappanur Village, Chinnasalem Taluk,, Kallakurichi District, without prior sanction of the HR & CE officials.
3.The grievance of the petitioner is that without the permission of the Department, the respondents 7 to 9 have high handedly taken powers into their own hands and have gone about even shifting of the idols inside the temple, besides carrying out modifications, which are not permissible, 3/7
without the consent of the Court/Department. The petitioner has given a representation to the official respondents, which has been dispatched on 30.10.2025.
4.Mr.S.Ravichandran, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice for the respondents 1 to 4 and Mr.M.Murali, learned Government Advocate takes notice for the respondents 5 & 6 and they would submit that the 2nd respondent is the competent authority to dispose of the petitioner's representation regarding the complaint against the unauthorized construction and modification effected by the respondents 7 to 9. 5.In view of the limited relief sought for in the writ petition, I am inclined to dispense with notice to the respondents 7 to 9. 6.The 2nd respondent, being the competent authority, shall conduct due enquiry, after giving a fair opportunity to the petitioner as well as the respondents 7 to 9 and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 30.10.2025, on merits and in accordance with law, within a eight weeks 4/7
from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 7.With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed. No costs. Connected Writ Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 28.11.2025 Speaking Order/Non-speaking Order Index : Yes / No ata To 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, 5/7
No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai.
2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Collectorate Master Plan Complex, Villupuram - 605 602.
3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, 25/12, Thurrugam Road, MRN Nagar, Kallakurichi - 606 202.
4.The Executive Officer, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Dhroupathy Amman Temple, Chinnasalem, Kallakurichi - 606 201.
5.The District Collector, O/o.Collectorate, Kallakurichi District - 606 201.
6.The Tahsildar, O/o.Tahsildar, Chinnasalem Taluk, Kallakurichi District - 606 201.
P.B. BALAJI,J.
ata 6/7
W.P.No.46369 of 2025 & WMP.No.51738 of 2025 28.11.2025 7/7