A.Radhakrishnan, S/O.Arumugam, v. The Secretary To Government,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 24.06.2025
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE A.D.MARIA CLETE W.P(MD).No.1625 of 2019 A.Radhakrishnan ... Petitioner in person -vs1. The Secretary To Government, Revenue Department, Secretariat, Chennai-9.
2. The Secretary To Government, Home Deptartment, Secretariat, Chennai-9.
3.The Secretary To Government, Tourism Culture And Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai-9.
4. The Commissioner Of Land Administration, Chepauk, Chennai-5.
1/10
5. The Inspector General of Registration, 100, Santhome High Road, Chennai-28.
6. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, 119, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai-34.
7. The District Collector, Ramanathapuram.
8. The District Collector, Madurai.
9. The Sub Divisional Executive, Magistrate Cum Revenue Divisional Officer, Ramanathapuram.
10.The Inspector General of Police, South Zone, Madurai.
11.The Regional Deputy Director of Survey & Land Records, Madurai.
12.The Deputy Inspector General Of Registration, Madurai.
13.The Regional Deputy Director, Town And Country Planning Department, Madurai.
14.The Regional Deputy Director of Municipal Administration, Madurai.
2/10
15.The Assistant Director, Town Panchayats, Ramanathapuram.
16.The Assistant Director, Panchayats, Ramanathapuram.
17.The Joint Commissioner , Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, Sivagangai.
18.The Chief Engineer, Tamilnadu General & Distribution Corporation, Madurai.
19.Tmt.R.B.K.Rajeswari Nachiar, The Hereditary Trustee, Ramanathapuram Samasthana Temples, Resident At 32, Soundrapandianar Street, Ashok Nagar, Chennai 78.
20.The Diwan Cum Administrative Secretary, Ramanathapuram Samasthana Temples, Ramanathapuram.
... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to secure and safeguard the properties belonging to the 21st respondent's temples, by considering the petitioner representation dated 02.01.2018. 3/10
For Party in Person : Mr.A.Radhakrishnan For R1 to R5, R7 to R9 and R11 to R16 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar, Government Pleader.
For R10 : Mr.T.Senthil Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor For R6 & R17 : Mr.P.Subba Rao, Special Government Pleader (HR & CE), For R18 : Mr.S.Deenadayalan Standing Counsel for TANGEDCO For R19 & R20 : Mr.G.Mohankumar
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) The relief sought for in the present writ petition is to direct the respondents to secure and safeguard the properties belonging to the 21st respondent's temples, by considering the petitioner representation dated 02.01.2018.
4/10
2. The petitioner in person would submit that the temple properties belonging to the 21st respondent's temple under encroachment are not removed and therefore, a complaint was registered by him. Since no action has been taken, the present writ petition came to be instituted.
3. It is needless to state that the competent authorities of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Act are bound to initiate actions against the encroachments in the temple properties and protect the same for the benefit of the temple concern. Since the act contemplates several procedure to be followed for resumption of temple properties from the hands of the encroachers all such procedures are to be followed without causing any undue delay. Thus, the respondents are directed to initiate all appropriate action to protect the temple authorities and by removing the encroachers and utitlize the properties for the benefit of the temple and devotees as contemplated under the provisions of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Act and the rules framed thereunder. The petitioner is at liberty to give a fresh representations to the competent authorities providing all details enabling them to initiate appropriate actions.
5/10
4. With these observations, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.
(S.M.S., J.) (A.D.M.C., J.) 24.06.2025 NCC :yes/No Index :yes/No Internet:yes/No rgm 6/10
To
1. The Secretary To Government, Revenue Department, Secretariat, Chennai-9.
2. The Secretary To Government, Home Deptartment, Secretariat, Chennai-9.
3.The Secretary To Government, Tourism Culture And Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai-9.
4. The Commissioner Of Land Administration, Chepauk, Chennai-5.
5. The Inspector General of Registration, 100, Santhome High Road, Chennai-28.
6. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, 119, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai-34.
7. The District Collector, Ramanathapuram.
8. The District Collector, Madurai.
7/10
9. The Sub Divisional Executive, Magistrate Cum Revenue Divisional Officer, Ramanathapuram.
10.The Inspector General of Police, South Zone, Madurai.
11.The Regional Deputy Director of Survey & Land Records, Madurai.
12.The Deputy Inspector General Of Registration, Madurai.
13.The Regional Deputy Director, Town And Country Planning Department, Madurai.
14.The Regional Deputy Director of Municipal Administration, Madurai.
15.The Assistant Director, Town Panchayats, Ramanathapuram.
16.The Assistant Director, Panchayats, Ramanathapuram.
17.The Joint Commissioner , Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, Sivagangai.
18.The Chief Engineer, Tamilnadu General & Distribution Corporation, Madurai.
8/10
19.Tmt.R.B.K.Rajeswari Nachiar, The Hereditary Trustee, Ramanathapuram Samasthana Temples, Resident At 32, Soundrapandianar Street, Ashok Nagar, Chennai 78.
20.The Diwan Cum Administrative Secretary, Ramanathapuram Samasthana Temples, Ramanathapuram.
9/10
S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.
and A.D.MARIA CLETE, J.
rgm W.P(MD).No.1625 of 2019 24.06.2025 10/10