Sathaiah v. The Joint Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 30.03.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Sathaiah ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District.

2.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.

3.The Inspector, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

4.The Tahsildar, Aranthangi Taluk Office, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Nagudi Police Station, Nagudi, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

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6.Manngudi 7.Selvaraj 8.Nadarajan 9.Ganeshan ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the official respondents to take steps to protect the temple hundiyal and temple money of Arulmighu Rajanarayana Perumal and Ariyanayagi Amman situate at Vallambakadu Village, Arasarkulam Thenpathi, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District from the private respondents and further directing to conduct the festival without any special right to anybody by considering the petitioner's representation dated 24.03.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Paranjothi M/s.KBS Law Office For R1 to R4 : Mr.M.Sarangam Additional Government Pleader For R5 : Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

O R D E R

This Writ Petition is filed for a mandamus directing the official respondents to take steps to protect the temple hundiyal and temple funds of Arulmighu Rajanarayana Perumal and Ariyanayagi Amman Temple Page No. 2 of 7

situated at Vallambakadu Village, Arasarkulam Thenpathi, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District, from the private respondents and further directing them to conduct the festival without conferring any special right on anybody, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 24.03.2026.

2. Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and perusing the material records of the case, the grievance of the petitioner is that he has already made a representation with reference to the village temple. The H.R. & C.E. Department has not taken any action to bring the temple under its control and the private respondents are dealing with the temple funds without proper accounting and other procedures.

3. When the matter came up for hearing, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the first to fourth respondents, on instructions, would submit that the matter was earlier the subject matter of a Peace Committee Meeting before the Revenue Divisional Officer, before whom both sides, classified as 'A' party and 'B' party, undertook that they would not indulge in opening the hundiyal, etc. The enquiry is also underway.

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4. I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused material records of the case.

5. As far as the proceedings before the Revenue Divisional Officer are concerned, the same relate to the upkeep of law and order. Regular orders with reference to the temple have to be passed by the first respondent. Therefore, when the matter is said to be pending enquiry before the first respondent, the first respondent shall proceed to complete the enquiry and pass orders with reference to the upkeep of the hundiyal and all other aspects of the temple in that regard.

6. It is made clear that this Writ Petition is disposed of at the admission stage and this Court is not commenting on any of the allegations made by the petitioner on merits. No notice is issued to the private respondents. In view thereof, this Writ Petition is disposed of on the following terms:

i. The first respondent shall continue the enquiry with reference to the affairs of Arulmighu Rajanarayana Perumal and Page No. 4 of 7

Ariyanayagi Amman Temple situated at Vallambakadu Village, Arasarkulam Thenpathi, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

ii. Due notices to the petitioner as well as the private respondents and other interested parties shall be issued. iii. The first respondent shall pass orders with reference to the administration of the temple and appointment of trustees. iv. The administration of the properties of the temple, including the opening of the hundiyal, etc., shall thereafter be governed by the orders passed by the first respondent in this regard. v. No costs.

30.03.2026 JEN To 1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District.

2.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.

3.The Inspector, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Page No. 5 of 7

Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

4.The Tahsildar, Aranthangi Taluk Office, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Nagudi Police Station, Nagudi, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

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D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY , J.

JEN 30.03.2026 Page No. 7 of 7