A. Radhakrishnan v. The Secretary To Government
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 19-12-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY W.P. No. 49987 of 2025 A. Radhakrishnan S/o. T.Arumuga gounder, 38, Mettu Agraraharam, Salem - 636 001.
....Petitioner Vs
1. The Secretary to Government Tourism Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Secretariat,Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 119, Gandhi Adigal Salai, Nungambakkam,Chennai - 600 034.
3.The District Executive Magistrate/Collector Salem Town - 636 001.
4.The District Executive Magistrate/Collector Namakkal - 637 003.
5.The Deputy Inspector General of Registrations Kumaragiri bye Pass Road, Salem - 636 014.
6.The Commissioner of Police, Linemedu, Salem - 636 006.
7.The Inspector of Police Law and Order, Town Police Station, Salem Town-636 001
8.The Superintendent of Police, Namakkal - 637 003.
9.The Regional Auditing Officer, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Tamil Sangam Salai,Salem - 636 007 10.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Near Kariya Perumal Temple, Nethimedu,Salem- 636 002.
11.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 9/2, Jeevanandham Nagar, Molagoundampalayam, Erode - 638 002.
12.The Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer Arulmigu Sugawaneshwarar Swamy Temple, Salem Town - 636 001 13.The Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar Temple,Thiruchengodu - 637 211, Namakkal District.
14.The Trustees /Fit Person, Arulmigu Sugawaneshwarar Swamy Temple,Salem Town - 636 001.
15.The Trustees/Fit Person Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar Temple,Thiruchengodu 637 211, Namakkal District.
.....Respondents PRAYER Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus to directing the 2nd respondent by considering the petitioner's representations dated 07.05.2014, 27.05.2019, 09.10.2023 and 12.12.2025 and thereby safeguard the interest of the 14th and 15th respondents temple.
For Petitioner Mr.R.Marudhachalamurthy For Respondents Mr.K.Karthikeyan, GA, HR & CE for R1, 2, 9 to 15 Mr.S.Senthil Murugan, Spl.GP for R1 and R2
ORDER
This Writ Petition is filed with a prayer to consider the petitioner's representation dated 07.05.2014, 27.05.2019, 09.10.2023 and 12.12.2025 and thereby, safeguard the interests of the 14th and 15th respondents temple and for such other reliefs.
2. Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner, it can be seen that the petitioner is making repeated representations in order to safeguard the properties and that are dedicated to various kattalais that are being performed in the 14th and the 15th respondent temples.
3. The learned Special Government Pleader submitted that if time is granted, he will place on record the steps taken so far by the respondents to protect these properties.
4. Be that as it may, the writ petition is disposed of the following terms: (i)The respondent shall consider the latest representation of the petitioner
dated 12.12.2025, wherein he has referred to the earlier representations. (ii)The same shall be taken up for enquiry by the 10th and 11th respondents and the 10th and 11th respondents shall issue notice to the persons in charge of the temples, be they the Trustees, the Fit Person, or the Executive Officer and ensure that either the properties are in the possession and enjoyment of the temple or any person duly authorised by it. (iii)If there are any encroachers, due action in accordance with law may be taken against them. If the tenants are in arrears of rent, an appropriate action, either for collection of arrears or by issuing appropriate notice to the tenants, can be taken. In any event, the petitioner shall also be heard and the representations shall be duly disposed of. No costs. 19-12-2025 ari To 1.The Secretary to Government Tourism Culture and Religious Endowments Department,Secretariat,Chennai - 600 009.
2.The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 119, Gandhi Adigal Salai,Nungambakkam,Chennai - 600 034.
3.The District Executive Magistrate/Collector Salem Town - 636 001.
4.The District Executive Magistrate/Collector Namakkal - 637 003.
5.The Deputy Inspector General of Registrations Kumaragiri Bye Pass Road,Salem - 636 014.
6.The Commissioner of Police Linemedu,Salem - 636 006.
7.The Inspector of Police Law and Order, Town police station, Salem Town-636 001 8.The Superintendent of Police, Namakkal - 637 003.
9.The Regional Auditing Officer, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Tamil Sangam Salai,Salem - 636 007 10.The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Near Kariya Perumal Temple, Nethimedu,Salem636 002.
11.The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department,9/2, Jeevanandham Nagar, Molagoundampalayam,Erode - 638 002.
12.The Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer Arulmigu Sugawaneshwarar Swamy
Temple, Salem Town - 636 001 13.The Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar Temple,Thiruchengodu - 637 211,Namakkal District.
14.The Trustees /Fit Person, Arulmigu Sugawaneshwarar Swamy Temple,Salem Town - 636 001.
15.The Trustees/Fit Person Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar Temple,Thiruchengodu 637 211,Namakkal District.
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
ari W.P.No. 49987 of 2025 19-12-2025