R.Venkateshwar, v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 11.08.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN and W.M.P.(MD).No.5084 of 2019 R.Venkateshwar ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, 2.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Chennai.

3.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Near Temple Tower, Thanjavur.

4.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Peravoorani Taluk Office, Thanjavur District.

5.The Executive Officer, Srineelakantavinayagar Temple, Peravoorani, Peravoorani Taluk, Thanjavur District.

6.The District Revenue Officer, ... Respondents (R-6 is suo motu impleaded vide Court order dated 18.03.2019) PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 5 herein to remove the illegal encroachments made in the lands comprised in S.Nos.130 to 153 and Survey Nos.160 to 167 measuring a total extent of 78.62 acres situated at Natanikottai Village, Peravoorani Taluk, Thanjavur District by considering the petitioner's representation dated 04.03.2019. For Petitioner : Mr.Mohamed Imran for Mr.K.M.Karunakaran For R-1 to R-4 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar & R-6 Government Pleader For R-5 : Dr.Ramesh Mahadev

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) The Writ Petition has been instituted seeking direction to the respondents 1 to 5 herein to remove the encroachments in respect of the temple land.

2. The learned Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, on instructions, would submit that Section 78 proceedings have already been initiated and pending.

3. That being so, the official respondents are directed to continue the enforcement actions initiated under Section 78 of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act and conclude the same as expeditiously as possible and remove the encroachments from the temple land.

4. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

(S.M.S.,J.) (G.A.M.,J.) 11.08.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Lm To 1.The District Collector,

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

3.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Near Temple Tower, Thanjavur.

4.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Peravoorani Taluk Office, Thanjavur District.

5.The District Revenue Officer,

S.M.SUBRAMANIAM,J.

and G.ARUL MURUGAN,J.

Lm 11.08.2025