Irudhayaraj v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 18.12.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY and W.M.P.(MD)No.10465 of 2023 Irudhayaraj ... Petitioner -vs1.The District Collector, Virudhunagar, 2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Madurai.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sattur, 4.The Tahsildar, Sattur Taluk, 5.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sattur,

6.The Sub-Inspector of Police, Appayanaickenpatti Police Station, 7.Sathyamoorthy ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 6 to take action on the representation dated 12.05.2023 given by the petitioner seeking to prevent the taking of any idol/ statue out of ''Sri Gangai Amman Temple'' situated at Veppilaipatti Village, Sattur Taluk, Virudhunagar District. For Petitioner : Mr.R.J.Karthick For R1 to R4 : Mr.S.Shanmugavel Additional Government Pleader For R5 and R6 : Mr.A.Albert James Government Advocate (Criminal side) For R7 : No Appearance

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 6 to consider and take appropriate action on the representation dated 12.05.2023 submitted by the petitioner, seeking to prevent the removal of any idol/statue from 'Sri Gangai Amman Temple' situated at Veppilaipatti Village, Sattur Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader for respondents 1 to 4 submit that, at the time of admission, this Court granted an interim order on 19.05.2023, as follows:- ''This writ petition has been preferred seeking for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 6 to take action on the representation, dated 12.05.2023 given by the petitioner seeking to prevent the taking of any idol/statue out of "Sri Gangai Amman Temple" situated at Veppilaipatti Village, Sattur Taluk, Virudhunagar District. 2.Mr.P.Thambidurai, learned Government Advocate takes notice for the respondents 1 to 6. He would submit that on 18.05.2023, a peace committee meeting was conducted by the respondents 3 and 4, after giving notice to all the rival parties. In the said peace committee meeting, an oral undertaking has been received from the rival parties stating that neither any of the idol will be taken out nor any of the idol will be brought into the temple. However, the learned Government Advocate sought time to file a status report.

3.Post the matter on 14.06.2023. In the meanwhile, there shall be an order of status quo as on today. The respondents 3 and 4 are directed to get written undertaking from the rival parties as to the oral undertaking given by them.

4. Notice to the respondents through Court as well as privately returnable by 14.06.2023.''

3. Prior to the filing of the writ petition, a Peace Committee meeting was conducted by the fourth respondent on 18.05.2023, wherein an amicable solution was arrived at between the parties. The scanned copy of the minutes of the Peace Committee meeting reads as under:-

Therefore, both the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader submits that the parties concerned have arrived at an amicable solution. Recording the same, the present Writ Petition is liable to be closed.

4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties.

5. In view of the subsequent settlement arrived at between the parties pursuant to the said Peace Committee meeting, no further orders are required to be passed. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is closed. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is also closed. NCC : Yes / No 18.12.2025 Index : Yes / No smn2 To:- 1.The District Collector, Virudhunagar,

2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Madurai.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sattur, 4.The Tahsildar, Sattur Taluk, 5.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sattur, 6.The Sub-Inspector of Police, Appayanaickenpatti Police Station,

KRISHNAN RAMASAMY , J.

smn2 18.12.2025