Appadurai v. The Assistant Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 22.04.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Appadurai ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Pudukottai, Pudukottai District.

2.The Executive Officer, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Veeramahakaliamman Thirukovil, Aranthangi, Pudukkottai District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Nagudi Police Station, Nagudi, Pudukkottai District.

4.Mohan 5.Chinathambi 6.Muthu @ Muthukumar 1/8

7.Palanichamy ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first and second respondents to establish the Schedule, proper worship timings and clear guidelines for conducting the Chitra Pournmai Festival and consequently, directing the official respondents to ensure that the smooth administration, festivals and other events of the Sree Pulikutti Ayyanar Temple and its allied temples situated at Pattamudaiyan Village, Avudaiyarkovil Taluk, Pudukkottai District should be conducted by the second respondent as a fit person and not by any other private parties without any authentication. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Deepan Chakravarthi For R - 1 : Mr.M.Sarangan Additional Government Pleader For R - 2 : Mr.S.Mathavan Standing Counsel For R - 3 : Mr.K.Gnana Sekaran Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

ORDER

This Writ Petition is filed for a direction to the first and second respondents to establish a schedule, proper worship timings and clear 2/8

guidelines for conducting the Chitra Pournami Festival and consequently to direct the official respondents to ensure smooth administration of the festival and other events of Arulmighu Pulikutti Ayyanar Temple and its allied temples situated at Pattamudaiyan Village, Avudaiyarkovil Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

2.Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner, the grievance of the petitioner is that even though there is an Executive Officer for the Temple, the private respondents 4 to 7 are conducting the festivals and other proceedings to their will and wish, excluding others in the village. As a result, the other devotees are put to grave hardship. It is contended that unless a proper scheme is framed and the administration is streamlined, the respondents 4 to 7 cannot be permitted to conduct the festival. It is further submitted that even for the current year, when the festival is going on as of today, the private respondents are taking upper hand and are not celebrating the festival in accordance with established procedures by including stakeholders.

3/8

3.When the matter came up for hearing, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Temple would submit that, earlier, with reference to the very same allegations, another person by name Singaravadivel had approached this Court. By order dated 12.03.2026 in W.P(MD)No.6705 of 2026, this Court directed the Assistant Commissioner to conduct an enquiry and pass orders, even with reference to the conduct of the Temple festival. It is further submitted that in the meanwhile, it is not the private respondents who are conducting the festival, but only the Executive Officer, who is conducting the festival.

4.In reply thereof, the learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that it is only for namesake, the Executive Officer is stating so and the private respondents are taking upper hand. 5.I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the material records of the case. 4/8

6.In view of the fact that, by an earlier order, a detailed enquiry has already been ordered by this Court, the petitioner Appadurai shall also be heard in the said enquiry, which is stated to be in progress. The petitioner's representation can also be taken into account during the course of the said enquiry. Due notice of the enquiry shall be issued to the petitioner and he shall be afforded an opportunity of being heard. All the concerns expressed by the petitioner shall also be taken into account while passing orders.

7.As far as the current year is concerned, even though the petitioner states that the private parties are taking upper hand, it is submitted that already the festival is underway. in the absence of service of notice to the respondents 4 to 7 and without hearing them, no orders can be passed at this stage. Except to record the submission that for the current year, the Executive Officer is conducting the festival, no further relief can be granted. If notice is ordered in the Writ Petition and the respondents 4 to 7 are called 5/8

upon to appear, by that time, the festival itself will over, which would render the exercise futile.

8.In view thereof, this Writ Petition is disposed of on the following terms:

i. The petitioner shall participate in the enquiry ordered by this Court by order dated 12.03.2026 in W.P(MD)No.6705 of 2026. ii. The authority shall issue notice to the petitioner and the respondents 4 to 7, consider the concerns raised the petitioner and decide the issues in accordance with law.

iii.As far as the current year is concerned, the submission made by the Executive Officer that they are only conducting the festival is recorded.

No costs.

22.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No ps 6/8

To 1.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Pudukottai, Pudukottai District.

2.The Executive Officer, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Veeramahakaliamman Thirukovil, Aranthangi, Pudukkottai District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Nagudi Police Station, Nagudi, Pudukkottai District.

7/8

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY , J.

ps 22.04.2026 8/8