Madras High CourtWP(MD)/11914/2026disposed of

Arumugam Pillai K v. The Commissioner

2026-04-22Honourable Mr Justice D.Bharatha Chakravarthy8 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated: 22.04.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P(MD)Nos.9025 and 9027 of 2026 K.Arumugam Pillai ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department in Tamil Nadu, Chennai.

2. The Idol of Sri Renganathawamy Srirengam, Rep. by its Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer, Arulmigu Aranganathaswamy Devasthanam, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli District.

...Respondents

Prayer: Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the impugned order passed by the 2nd respondent herein vide proceedings in Na. Ka. No. 4283/1432/B3 dated 22.04.2026 and quash the same as illegal, directing the 2nd Respondent to permit the petitioners to perform the 6th day of Viruppan Thirunal

Yaanaivagana Asththana Mandagappadi as scheduled on 11.05.2026, as well as the Vazhinadai Upayam on the 8th day during the Panguni festival, within the time stipulated by this Honble Court and pass such other or further orders as this Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of this case and thus render justice. (Prayer amended vide order dated 22.04.2026 in W.P(MD).No.11914 of 2026 by D.B.C.J.,) For Petitioner :Mr.D.Nalla Thambi For R1 :Mr.M.Sarangan Additional Government Pleader For R2 :Mr.M.Saravanan

ORDER

The writ petition is filed challenging the impugned order dated 22.04.2026.

2. Heard Mr.D.Nallathambi, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Mr.M.Sarangan, learned Additional Government Pleader, who takes notice on behalf of the 1st respondent and Mr.M.Saravanan, learned counsel, who takes notice on behalf of the 2nd respondent.

3. Upon hearing the learned counsel on both sides and perusing the material records of the case, it can be seen that the petitioner had been continuously conducting and managing the Mandagapadi. A suit was filed by the temple, seeking the recovery of property from the petitioner and other defendants in O.S.No.170 of 2008, before the I Additional District Judge, Tiruchirappalli.

4. In the said Suit, interim orders were granted, allowing the petitioner to continue conducting the Mandagapadi pending the disposal of the Suit. On 20.02.2026, the Suit was decreed in favor of the temple. However, the learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the right to conduct Mandagapadi remains an independent right, irrespective of the fact that the property concerning the endowment is to be recovered by the temple. The petitioner also contends that the certificate copy of the judgment and decree has not yet been received, preventing the petitioner from obtaining the same interim orders that were granted pending the disposal of the Suit in the appeal. As the Mandagapadi is scheduled to take place on 11.05.2026, the petitioner has approached this Court. Even if the petitioner is required to file an appeal, an interim arrangement can still be made by this Court for this year alone.

5. Per contra, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the temple would submit that the issue was squarely before the Civil Court, which has categorically denied the petitioner's rights and ordered the recovery of properties by the temple. Since the endowment has now been declared to belong to the temple and the properties are to be handed over to the temple, the temple itself has the right to conduct the Mandagapadi on its behalf and the petitioner should no longer be permitted to conduct it. When the interim order was initially granted, it was clear that the petitioner was entitled to conduct the Mandagapadi only until the disposal of the Suit. Now that the Suit has been decided in favor of the temple, the petitioner is no longer entitled to continue conducting the Mandagapadi.

6. I have carefully considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the material records of the case.

7. Upon perusal of the subject matter of the suit, it is clear that the interim order was granted to the petitioner pending the disposal of the

Suit, and the subject matter is certainly within the scope of the Suit. Once the suit is decreed, the rights of the parties will be governed by the decree. It is true that the petitioner is entitled to file an appeal. Therefore, when an appeal is filed, it will be open to the petitioner to seek interim orders pending the disposal of the appeal which will be determined in accordance with law. The only grievance is that, even though the judgment was delivered on 20.02.2026, the petitioner is yet to receive the certified copy of the judgment, despite having made an application.

8. In light of the above, this Court notes that the delay is likely due to the judgment running over several pages and the decree also needs to be drafted. In any event, two months have passed since the judgment, and there are still fifteen days remaining before the Mandagapadi.

9. Under these circumstances, the learned I Additional District Judge, Tiruchirappalli, is directed to comply with the copy application in C.A. No. 133 of 2026 and issue the certified copy of the judgment and

decree on or before 29.04.2026. The same shall be complied with, upon receipt of the web copy of this order. It will be open to the petitioner to immediately file an appeal and request such interim orders as may be necessary. Given that the entire matter is already covered by the Civil Suit, this Court, exercising its powers under Article 226, cannot interject and grant relief to the parties.

10. In view thereof, the writ petition stands disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to approach the appropriate Court by way of appeal and directing the I Additional District Judge, Tiruchirappalli, to issue the certificate copy of the judgment and decree to the petitioner on or before 29.04.2026. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are also closed.

22.04.2026 (2/2) Index: Yes Speaking Order: Yes rgm

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department in Tamil Nadu, Chennai.

2. The Idol of Sri Renganathawamy Srirengam, Rep. by its Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer, Arulmigu Aranganathaswamy Devasthanam, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli District.

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY , J.

rgm and W.M.P(MD)Nos.9025 and 9027 of 2026 22.04.2026 (2/2)