G.Maheswari v. The Commissioner
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 31.01.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.KUMARESH BABU and W.M.P.(MD) No.1812 of 2025 1.G.Maheswari 2.P.Banumathi 3.S.Lakshmi 4.K.Ganesan 5.P.Thangaraj 6.P.Meenakshi 7.M.Periyasamy 8.T.Punithavathi 9.K.Maragathamani 10.M.Shanmugam 11.K.Periyasamy 12.P.Kannammal 1/6
13.K.Vasanthi ... Petitioners /vs./ 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai 600 034.
2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Tiruppur.
3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Karur Circle, Karur.
4.The Executive Officer, Sri Balsubramaniya Temple, Kathapparai Village, Vennamalai Post, Manmangalam Taluk, Karur District.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the respondents from taking further action with the Miscellaneous Petition Nos. 239/2024/A3 dated 24.10.2024, 240/2024/A3 dated 30.09.2024, 241/2024/A3 dated 24.10.2024, 242/2024/A3 dated 18.11.2024, 246/2024/A3 dated 18.11.2024, 253/2024/A3 dated 12.11.2024, 255/2024/A3 dated 24.10.2024, 256/2024/A3 dated 24.10.2024, 2/6
391/2024/A3 dated 20.11.2024, 276/2024/A3 dated 12.11.2024, 282/2024/A3 dated 30.09.2024 and 4/2025/A3 dated 13.01.2025 in respect of Survey Nos.195 and its respective sub divisions at Kathaparai Village, Vennamalai, Manmangalam Taluk, Karur District.
For Petitioner : Mr.D.Selvanayagam For R1 to R3 : Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader For R4 : Mr.P.Athimoola Pandian
ORDER
The writ petition has been filed forbearing the respondents from taking further action with the Miscellaneous Petition Nos. 239/2024/A3 dated 24.10.2024, 240/2024/A3 dated 30.09.2024, 241/2024/A3 dated 24.10.2024, 242/2024/A3 dated 18.11.2024, 246/2024/A3 dated 18.11.2024, 253/2024/A3 dated 12.11.2024, 255/2024/A3 dated 24.10.2024, 256/2024/A3 dated 24.10.2024, 391/2024/A3 dated 20.11.2024, 276/2024/A3 dated 12.11.2024, 282/2024/A3 dated 30.09.2024 and 4/2025/A3 dated 13.01.2025 in respect of the property in Survey Nos.195 and its respective sub divisions at Kathaparai Village, Vennamalai, Manmangalam Taluk, Karur District. 3/6
2. The provision of Section 78 of the HR & CE Act, 1959, empowers the Joint Commissioner to act upon the report of the jurisdictional Assistant Commissioner, if any encroachment is found in the temple land. Therefore, the impugned notices cannot be said to be without jurisdiction.
3. In such view of the matter, I am not inclined to issue the directions as prayed for. The petitioners shall appear before the Joint Commissioner and contest their claim in the proceedings under Section 78 of the Act and if any adverse orders are passed, the petitioners can always challenge the same under Section 79(2) of the Act in the manner known to law.
4. The Writ Petition stands disposed of, with the aforesaid direction. However, there shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.
Index : Yes / No 31.01.2025 Internet : Yes / No mm 4/6
To 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai 600 034.
2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Tiruppur.
3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Karur Circle, Karur.
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K.KUMARESH BABU, J.
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