Muthukaruppan v. The Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 05.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.(MD)No.678 of 2026 and W.M.P.(MD)No.547 of 2026 1.Muthukaruppan 2.C.Mahadevan ... Petitioners Vs

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai.

2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Madurai.

3. The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Mahadevasamy Thirukoil, Rajamill Road, Madurai.

4.P.Ariyanayagam ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 3 to conclude the renovation works and to conduct kumbabishegam festival of Arulmigu Mahadevasamy Temple, Rajamill Road, Madurai as scheduled on 28.01.2026 pursuant to the order of this Court in WP(MD).No.19724 of 2025 dated 18.07.2025.

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For Petitioners : Mr.V.R.Shanmuganathan for Mr.K.S.Kathiravan For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani, Spl. Govt. Pleader for R1 & R2 Mr.S.Manohar for R3 Mr.S.Lakshmanan for R4

O R D E R

This Writ Petition is filed seeking a direction to the respondents 1 to 3 to conclude the renovation works and to conduct kumbabishegam festival of Arulmigu Mahadevasamy Temple, Rajamill Road, Madurai as scheduled on 28.01.2026 pursuant to the order of this Court in WP(MD).No.19724 of 2025 dated 18.07.2025.

2. When the matter was came up for hearing on 28.01.2026, this Court has passed the following order:

"The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that in the present case, a Committee, consisting of 9 members, was appointed to look after the renovation work. Therefore, the said Committee is directed to fix the auspicious date for Kumbabishekam and inform the same to the Court.

2. In the event, if the 4th respondent gives any suggestion, the Committee is directed to take the same as 2/6

agenda and discuss the same in the Committee and report the same before this Court along with the date for Kumbabishekam. The committee is also directed to file a report with regard to the completion of the renovation work particularly, a crack in the sanctum sanctorum and whether the same can be rectified or not.

3. Post the matter on 05.02.2026."

3. Today, the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 and 2 would submit that one more member has been appointed to the Committee and now totally, there are 10 members in the Committee for looking after the renovation work. Out of the 10 members, 9 members participated in the Committee meeting and with a majority of 6 members, the Committee decided to conduct the Kumbabishekam at the temple on 22.02.2026. A resolution to that effect was also passed during the Committee meeting on 01.02.2026

4. The learned counsel appearing for the 4th respondent would submit that five members have raised objections to fixing the date for the Kumbabishekam.

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5. However, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that they are also the members of the Committee and three members have raised objections to fixing the date for the Kumbabishekam.

6. This Court heard the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.

7. On a perusal of the records, it is seen that totally 10 members in the Committee, which was appointed to look after the renovation work and out of 10 members, 9 members participated in the Committee meeting and 6 members have given their consent for conducting Kumbabishekam on 22.02.2026 and a resolution to that effect was also passed on 01.02.2026 in the Committee meeting. Under these circumstances, this Court is of the view that, based on the decision of the majority of the members and the resolution passed in the Committee meeting on 01.02.2026, the Kumbabishekam let be conducted on the date fixed viz., on 22.02.2026 4/6

8. The learned counsel appearing for the 4th respondent would further submit that there is a crack in the sanctum sanctorum, however, the same has not been rectified till date. But, the learned counsel appearing for the third respondent temple would submit that the said crack has already been rectified and he has also produced photographs to that effect. The said statement is recorded.

9. With the above observations, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

05.02.2026 Index :Yes/No NCC: Yes/No vsm To

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai.

2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Madurai.

3. The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Mahadevasamy Thirukoil, Rajamill Road, Madurai.

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KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.

vsm W.P.(MD)No.678 of 2026 05.02.2026 6/6