The Executive Officer v. R.Manibharathi

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 02.03.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN W.M.P(MD)No.1542 of 2025 in W.P(MD)No.13401 of 2024 The Executive Officer, Office of the Executive Officer, Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundaraswarar Temple, Chithirai Street, Madurai - 625 001.

... Petitioner/6th Respondent Vs.

1.R.Manibharathi ... 1st Respondent/Writ Petitioner 2.Union of India, Represented by the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Union of India, 501, C Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi - 110 015.

3.State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowment Department, State of Tamil Nadu, Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

4.The Commissioner, 1/5

State of Tamil Nadu, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

5.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Madurai District.

6.The Joint Commissioner, Office of the Joint Commissioner, H 306, TNHB Colony, Ellis Nagar, Madurai - 625 016.

... Respondents 2 to 6/Respondents 1 to 5 PRAYER:- Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to grant extension of time for a period of six months for implementing the order passed by this Court in W.P(MD)No.13401 of 2024, dated 19.07.2024.

For Petitioner : Mr.VR.Shanmuganathan For Respondents : Mr.R.Alagumani : Mr.J.Ashok (R3 & R5) Additional Government Pleader : No appearance (R2 & R4)

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) Status report has been filed by the Joint Commissioner/sixth respondent stating that the renovation work is in progress and as the 2/5

building requires preservation of proper aesthetic and heritage value, the construction activities are proceeding at slower pace. Further, it has also been stated that the Temple has proposed to conduct Kumbabhisekam in the month of September, 2026. Hence, the learned counsel for the petitioner in this petition submits that the construction work will be completed with the said period.

2.Recording such submission, the time to complete the construction work is extended till 30th August, 2026. If the work is not completed within the said period, liberty is granted to the writ petitioner to make a mention before this Court.

[N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.] 02.03.2026 Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes ta To 1.The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Union of India, 501, C Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi - 110 015.

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2.The Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowment Department, State of Tamil Nadu, Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

3.The Commissioner, State of Tamil Nadu, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

4.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Madurai District.

5.The Joint Commissioner, Office of the Joint Commissioner, H 306, TNHB Colony, Ellis Nagar, Madurai - 625 016.

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N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.

AND M.JOTHIRAMAN, J.

ta W.M.P(MD)No.1542 of 2025 in W.P(MD)No.13401 of 2024 02.03.2026 5/5