Arulmigu Vinayagar Temple v. The Commissioner
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 18.02.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY W.P.CRL.(MD). No.160 of 2026 and W.M.P.CRL.(MD).No.44 of 2026 Arulmigu Vinayagar Temple, Arulmigu Karuppanasamy Temple, Represented through its Hereditary Trustee, Maheshwaran, S/o.Veeranan, Thummanaickenpatti, Silaimalaipatti, ... Petitioner Vs 1.The Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungampakkam, Chennai.
2.The Joint Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Dindigul.
3.The Assistant Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Theni.
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4.The Superintendent of Police, K.Pudur, 5.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District.
6.The Inspector of Police, 7.Mohammed Salim 8.Akbhar 9.Muthaiah 10.Balamurugan ... Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent 4 to 6 to afford adequate police protection for carrying out the renovation works at Arulmigu Vinayagar Temple, Thummanaickenpatti, Silamalaipatti, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District on the basis of the prior sanction / permission orders dated 30.09.2025, in proceedings Na.Ka.No. 3168/2025/A2 on the file of the 3rd respondent, 07.11.2025 in proceedings Se.Mu.Na.Ka.No.11520/2025/A2 on the file of the 2nd respondent and representation dated 18.02.2026. For Petitioner :
Mr.R.G.Shankar Ganesh, Advocate.
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For R1 to R3 :
Mr.S.Muthumanikkam, Government Advocate (Criminal Side) For R4 to R6 :
Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate (Criminal Side) For R7 :
Mr.D.S.Haroon Rasheed
ORDER
The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent police to provide adequate police protection.
2. The petitioner claims to be the hereditary trustee of the Arulmigu Vinayagar Temple. It is submitted that the temple is under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department and that permission for renovation has been granted by the said Department vide proceedings dated 30.09.2025. The private respondent is claiming right over a strip of 3 feet of land adjoining the temple property.
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3. When the temple is under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department and permission for renovation has already been granted by the competent authority, the private respondent cannot obstruct the renovation work under the guise of claiming right over the said 3 feet of land. The petitioner is, therefore, permitted to proceed with the renovation work.
4. The respondent police are directed to provide adequate police protection to enable the petitioner to carry out the renovation work without any law and order issue. Insofar as the claim of the private respondent over the 3 feet of land is concerned, the third respondent is directed to verify the documents and consider the claim of the private respondent and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law.
5. With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
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To 1.The Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungampakkam, Chennai.
2.The Joint Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Dindigul.
3.The Assistant Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Theni.
4.The Superintendent of Police, K.Pudur, 5.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District.
6.The Inspector of Police, 5/6
S.SRIMATHY,J.
pal
ORDER
IN WP.CRL.(MD) No.160 of 2026 Date: 18.02.2026 6/6