Sethupathy Padimathar D v. The Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 06.06.2024

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN and W.M.P.(MD) No.8180 of 2024 D.Sethupathy Padimathar ... Petitioner Vs.

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

2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Uthamar Koil, Trichy.

3.The Executive Officer, Pudukottai Thiru Kovilgal, Perungalur Arulmigu Malayamarungar and Arulmigu Urumanathar Thirukovil, Perungalur, Pudukkottai District.

4.Muthukaruppan Padimathar 5.Annamalai 6.Karuppiah ... Respondents Page No. 1 of 5

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus forbearing the first to third respondents from appointing the fifth and sixth respondents as Poojari in Arulmigu Udrumanathar Thirukovil and in Arulmigu Malayamarungar Temple by disturbing the petitioner who is working as Poojari on regular basis in Arulmigu Malayamarungar Temple.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Saravanakumar For R1 & R2 : Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader For R4 & R6 : Mr.R.Paranjothi

O R D E R

This Writ Petitions has been filed for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus forbearing the first to third respondents from appointing the fifth and sixth respondents as Poojari in Arulmigu Udrumanathar Thirukovil and in Arulmigu Malayamarungar Temple by disturbing the petitioner who is working as Poojari on regular basis in Arulmigu Malayamarungar Temple.

2. The petitioner appears to have given a representation dated 09.07.2023 to the first respondent. Since the aforesaid representation did Page No. 2 of 5

not evoke any positive response from the first respondent, the petitioner has filed this Writ Petition on 08.04.2024 for the aforesaid relief.

3. The case was came up for admission on 08.04.2024, on which, after hearing, this Court ordered status quo till further orders. Since the respondents have not taken any steps to file counter affidavit till today, I am inclined to direct the respondents to maintain status quo for a period of 30 days from today. The second respondent shall pass appropriate orders on the petitioner's representation dated 09.07.2023, as expeditiously as possible, within such time, i.e. 30 days from today, after giving due notice to the private respondent Nos.4, 5 & 6.

4. This Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

06.06.2024 Index: Yes/ No Speaking Order / Non-Speaking Order JEN Page No. 3 of 5

Copy To:

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

2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Uthamar Koil, Trichy.

Page No. 4 of 5

C.SARAVANAN , J.

JEN and W.M.P.(MD) No.8180 of 2024 06.06.2024 Page No. 5 of 5