Muthukrishnan S v. The Commissioner
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.03.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN S.Muthukrishnan ... Petitioner vs.
1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai - 60.
2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.
3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Sachidananda Moopanar Road, Thanjavur.
4.The Inspector, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Office at Arulmigu Neelaganda Pillaiyar Kovil, Peravurani Taluk, Thanjavur District.
1/7
5.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Sri Pushpavaneswarar Temple, Office at Sri Durgai Amman Temple, Palathali, Pattukottai Taluk, Thanjavur District.
6.The District Collector, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.
7.The District Revenue Officer, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur, Pudukottai District.
8.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Pattukottai, Thanjavur District.
... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to retrieve the lands comprised in Survey Nos.45/2, 45/3, 110/1,110/2, 203, 252/2, 252/4, 252/5, 252/6, 252/8, 252/9, 280/12, 294/4, 300/2, 197/1, 197/2, 197/3, 202/1, 202/2A, 202/2B, 206/1, 206/2, 206/3, 204/1, 204/2, 205/1, 205/2, 205/3, 205/4, 207/1, 207/2, 207/3, 207/4, 209/1, 209/2, 210, 211, 212/1 and 212/2 belongs to the Arulmigu Sri Pushpavaneswarar Temple situated at Poovanam Village, Pattukottai Taluk, Thanjavur District as per the guide lines issued by the first respondent in Na.Ka.No.44908/2001M3 2/7
dated 17.06.2021 and in Na.Ka.No.56768/2001/D5 dated 17.12.2021 on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 24.11.2024 within the time stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.M.Pitchai Muthu For Respondents : Mr.J.Ashok (R1 to R3 & R6 to R8) Additional Government Pleader : Mr.G.Mathavan (R5) Standing Counsel
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking a direction to the respondents to retrieve the lands comprised in the aforesaid survey numbers belonging to Arulmigu Sri Pushpavaneswarar Temple, situated at Poovanam Village, Pattukottai Taluk, Thanjavur District, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the first respondent in Na.Ka.No.4908/2001/M3 dated 17.06.2021 and Na.Ka.No.56768/2001/D5 dated 17.12.2021, based on the petitioner's representation dated 24.11.2024. 3/7
2.It is the contention of the petitioner that various survey numbers belonging to the Temple have been encroached upon by third parties. It is further stated that, during revenue proceedings, pattas were erroneously issued to certain private individuals by the revenue authorities without conducting a proper survey and without issuing notice to the Temple authorities. Consequently, some of the Temple lands have been encroached upon by third parties. In this regard, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 24.11.2024 before the concerned authorities. As the same has not been considered thus far, the present Writ Petition has been filed. 3.The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 3 and 6 to 8, on instructions, submitted that action has already been initiated by the Temple authorities and that a request has been made to the seventh respondent/District Revenue Officer to cancel the pattas issued in favour of private individuals.
4/7
4.In view of the above, it is for the Temple authorities to take appropriate action, in accordance with law, for retrieval of the subject lands, and such exercise shall be carried out as expeditiously as possible. 5.With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
[N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 27.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps To 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai - 60.
2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.
5/7
3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Sachidananda Moopanar Road, Thanjavur.
4.The Inspector, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Office at Arulmigu Neelaganda Pillaiyar Kovil, Peravurani Taluk, Thanjavur District.
5.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Sri Pushpavaneswarar Temple, Office at Sri Durgai Amman Temple, Palathali, Pattukottai Taluk, Thanjavur District.
6.The District Collector, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.
7.The District Revenue Officer, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.
8.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Pattukottai, Thanjavur District.
6/7
N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.
and M.JOTHIRAMAN , J.
ps ORDER MADE IN DATED : 27.03.2026 7/7