P.Thirunavukarasu v. The Principal Secretary To Government
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 21-11-2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P.B. BALAJI AND WMP NO. 50825 OF 2025 P.Thirunavukarasu S/o.Parathasarathy, Third Branch Poosari, 3/114, Periya Street, Melmalayanur, Villupuram District. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The Principal Secretary To Government Tourism, Culture And Endowments Department, Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009. 2.The Commissioner Hr And Ce Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.
3.The Joint Commissioner Hr And Ce Department, Perunthittavalagam, Villupuram, Villupuram District.
4.The Assistant Commissioner Cum Executive Officer, Arulmigu Angalamman Thirukoil, Melmalaiyanoor, Gingee Taluk, Villupuram District- 604 204.
..Respondent(s) Prayer:
Writ petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus seeking a direction to direct the respondent 1 to
4 to conduct the Board of Trustees election in the year 2026 to 2028 in terms of the scheme in O.A.No.144 of 1968 forthwith in respect of Arulmigu Angalamman Thirukoil Situated at Melmalaiyanur, Gingee TAluk, Villupuram District by considering petitioner representation dated 11.10.2025 within a stipulated time period prescribed by this Honble court. For Petitioner(s):
Mr.K.Venkateswaran For Respondent(s):
Mr.M.Murali Government Advocate (for R1) Mr.S.Ravichandran Additional Government Pleader (for R2 to R4)
ORDER
This writ petition is filed seeking a writ of mandamus to direct the respondent 1 to 4 to conduct the Board of Trustees election in the year 2026 to 2028 in terms of the scheme in O.A.No.144 of 1968 forthwith in respect of Arulmigu Angalamman Thirukoil, situated at Melmalaiyanur, Gingee TAluk, Villupuram District by considering petitioner's representation dated 11.10.2025, within a stipulated time period prescribed by this court.
2. Heard Mr.K.Venkateswaran, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr.M.Murali, learned Government Advocate, who takes notice for the 1st respondent and Mr.S.Ravichandran, learned Additional Government Pleader, who takes notice for the respondents 2 to 4.
3. The petitioner is one of the hereditary trustees of Arulmigu Angalamman Thirukoil, Melmalaiyanur, Villupuram District. The temple has been administered under a scheme framed in civil suit in O.S.No.42 of 1933. The said scheme was subsequently modified by order dated 05.03.1973 in O.A.No.144 of 1968. The office of the trustees is for a tenure of two years, from the date of the chairman election.
4. The grievance of the petitioner is that, the last election for the board of trustees was held on 24.01.2024 and the Government has approved the elected body on 14.02.2024 and the term ends on 15.02.2026. Calling for suitable and early action, the petitioner has given a representation on 11.10.2025, requesting that the necessary steps may be initiated for conducting the elections in February 2026. Aggrieved that no action has been taken, the petitioner has approached this Court by filing this writ petition.
5. Mr.S.Ravichandran, learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 2 to 4 would submit that steps have already been taken and directions have been issued by the 3rd respondent/the Joint Commissioner, HR & CE Department, Perunthittavalagam, Villupuram to the 4th respondent/The Assistant Commissioner cum Executive Officer, Arulmigu Angalamman Thirukoil, Melmalaiyanoor, Gingee Taluk, Villupuram district and the elections would be held in time and he further states that the
representation of the petitioner dated 11.10.2025 will be disposed of within a period of eight (8) weeks.
6. In light of the above, considering that the elections are due only in 3rd week of February 2026, I am inclined to dispose of this writ petition directing the 4th respondent to conduct the elections for the board of trustees without any delay and by disposing of the representation of the petitioner dated 11.10.2025 within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order on merits and in accordance with law. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
21-11-2025 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order mpl To 1.The Principal Secretary To Government Tourism, Culture And Endowments Department, Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009. 2.The Commissioner Hr And Ce Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.
3.The Joint Commissioner Hr And Ce Department, Perunthittavalagam, Villupuram, Villupuram District.
4.The Assistant Commissioner Cum Executive Officer, Arulmigu Angalamman Thirukoil, Melmalaiyanoor, Gingee Taluk, Villupuram District- 604 204.
P.B.BALAJI J.
mpl AND WMP NO. 50825 OF 2025 21-11-2025