Veerappan v. The Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 10.04.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR W.P.(MD)No.10144 of 2026 and W.M.P.(MD)No.7996 of 2026 Veerappan ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034.

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

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

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 2nd respondent to dispose the petition filed by the petitioner under Section 6(B) of H.R. and C.E. Act, 22/1959 in O.A.No.10 of 2022, within the time frame fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner :Mrs.J.Padmavathidevi For Respondents :Mr.M.Sarangan Additional Government Pleader 1/5

O R D E R

The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the second respondent to dispose of the petition filed by the petitioner under Section 63(B) of the HR & CE Act, 1959.

2. In the said petition, the petitioner claims hereditary rights and seeks a declaration that Arulmighu Samuthirapatti Sri Mariamman Temple is a private temple.

3. Mrs. J. Padmavathidevi, learned counsel for the petitioner, submitted that the said petition has not been disposed of till date, resulting in the petitioner being unable to conduct the festival in the said temple.

4. Mr. M. Sarangan, learned Additional Government Pleader, who accepts notice on behalf of the respondents, on instructions, submitted that the petition filed by the petitioner will be considered by the second respondent in accordance with law within a time frame to be fixed by this 2/5

Court. The said submission is taken on record.

5. In view of the above, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the second respondent to dispose of the petition filed by the petitioner under Section 63(B) of the HR & CE Act, 1959 in O.A. No.10 of 2022, on its own merits and in accordance with law, within a period of six (6) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Liberty is granted to the petitioner to file an interim application before the second respondent seeking permission to conduct the festival in the said temple. In the event such an application is filed, the second respondent shall consider the same on its own merits and in accordance with law within a period of two weeks from the date of filing of the interim application.

6. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

Index :Yes / No 10.04.2026 NCC :Yes / No Note : Issue order copy by 15.04.2026.

cmr 3/5

To 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034.

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

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

4/5

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

cmr 10.04.2026 5/5