E.Raja v. The Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 13.02.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.3508 & 3511 of 2026 E.Raja ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Commissioner, The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Chennai.

2. The Joint Commissioner, The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, D.No.28/29, Near Kaattu Hospital, Pandiyan Nagar 2nd Street, Dindigul District.

3. The Assistant Commissioner,, The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, P.C.Patti, Theni.

4. The Executive Officer, The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Arulmigu Dharmasastha Temple, Thimmarasanayakkannur, Andipatti Block, Theni District.

1/6

5. A.Neethi Kodi ... Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorari to call for the impugned order passed by the 2nd respondent under Na.Ka.No.13485/2025/A3, dated 06.02.2026 and to quash the same as illegal. For Petitioner : K.R.Laxman, .

For Respondent : Mr.J.K.Jeyaselan, Government Advocate for R1 to R3

O R D E R

This Writ Petition is filed challenging the impugned order dated 06.02.2026, issued by the 2nd respondent, whereby the petitioner's pujariship was terminated.

2. By consent, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself. Since no adverse order is going to be passed against the respondents 4 and 5, notice to them is dispensed with.

2/6

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that without providing time to file a reply, the 2nd respondent has passed the impugned order, which is in violation of principles of natural justice. Hence, the impugned order is liable to be set aside.

4. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 would fairly submit that though the petitioner was called for enquiry and after enquiry, the impugned order was passed, without providing an opportunity to file a reply. Therefore, this Court may direct the petitioner to treat the impugned order as notice and file his reply to the impugned order and after hearing the petitioner, necessary orders will be passed by the respondents.

5. This Court finds force in the submission made by the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 1 to 3. Before passing the impugned order, the respondents have to give sufficient opportunity to the petitioner to file his reply. If the said opportunity is not provided to the petitioner, the same will affect the rights of the petitioner. Therefore, this Court is inclined to set aside the impugned order.

3/6

6. Accordingly, the impugned order dated 06.02.2026 passed by the 2nd respondent is set aside. The petitioner is directed to treat the impugned order as a notice and file his reply within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Thereafter, upon affording the petitioner an opportunity of personal hearing, the 2nd respondent shall pass a final order.

7. With the above observations, this Writ Petition is allowed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

13.02.2026 Index :Yes/No NCC : Yes/No 4/6

TO

1. The Commissioner, The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Chennai.

2. The Joint Commissioner, The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, D.No.28/29, Near Kaattu Hospital, Pandiyan Nagar 2nd Street, Dindigul District.

3. The Assistant Commissioner,, The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, P.C.Patti, Theni.

4. The Executive Officer, The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Arulmigu Dharmasastha Temple, Thimmarasanayakkannur, Andipatti Block, Theni District.

5/6

KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.

vsm WP(MD) No.4223 of 2026 Date : 13.02.2026 6/6