V.Devaraja Bhattar (Rajesh Bhattar) v. The Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 28.01.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.(MD)No.815 of 2026 V.Devaraja Bhattar (Rajesh Bhattar) ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai.

2. Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu.Aranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, Trichy.

3. Arulmigu.Aranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, Trichy.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd respondent to pass appropriate order on the representations given by the petitioner dated 30.07.2025 and 02.10.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Ramesh For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani, Addl.Govt. Pleader for R1 & R3 1/4

O R D E R

This Writ Petition is filed seeking a direction to the 2nd respondent to pass appropriate order on the representations given by the petitioner dated 30.07.2025 and 02.10.2025.

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner family is one of the permitted Archaga to perform as an Archagar to the deity Sri Arulmigu Aranganatha Temple, Srirangam, Tircuhirappalli for several decades. The petitioner's father has been allotted one house by the temple authorities. After his demise, the petitioner is in possession and enjoyment of the said house. The petitioner's Chitappa, who is also an Archagar to the deity Sri Arulmigu Aranganatha Temple, Srirangam, Tircuhirappalli, has also been allotted one house by the temple authorities. After his demise, the petitioner is entitled to occupy the said house, since the petitioner's Chitappa has no male child to perform duty as an Archaga. However, the daughters of the petitioner's Chitappa, have sold the said house to one Madhava Battar, who is already having temple allotted house. Therefore, the petitioner has made representations on 30.07.2025 and 02.10.2025 to the 2nd 2/4

respondent, seeking to evict the said Madava Battar from unlawful occupation and allow the petitioner to stay there permanently and worship. Since, no action was taken on the said representations till date, the petitioner has filed this Writ Petition.

3. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that the representation of the petitioner dated 02.10.2025 would be considered in accordance with law.

4. In view of the same, this Court this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the 2nd respondent to consider and pass orders on the representation of the petitioner dated 02.10.2025, on merits and in accordance with law within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

28.01.2026 vsm Index : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No 3/4

KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.

vsm To

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai.

2. Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu.Aranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, Trichy.

3. Arulmigu.Aranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, Trichy.

W.P.(MD)No.815 of 2026 28.01.2026 4/4