A.Sekar v. The District Collector,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :10.06.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY and WMP(MD)Nos.10304 and 10305 of 2025 A.Sekar ... Petitioner vs.

1.The District Collector, Trichy, Trichy District.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Musiri Taluk, Trichy District.

3.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Trichy District, Trichy.

4.The Inspector of Police, Musiri Police Station, Trichy District.

5.The Tahsildar, Musiri Taluk, Trichy District.

6.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Analadeeshwarar Thirukovil, Musiri Taluk, Trichy District.

7.Chidambaram 8.S.Balu 1/6

9.Sivakumar

10. Balakumar 11.Delhikumar 12.Sathish 13.Devan 14.Marimuthu 15.Selvam 16.Dhanabal 17.Sellaiya 18.Govindaraj 19.Nagaraj 20.Sekar 21.Rajendran 22.Senthil Murugan

...Respondents

PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the order dated 03.05.2025 passed by the 2nd respondent in the peace committee meeting conducted on 03.05.2025in his proceedings "Nil" and to quash the same as illegal, consequently, to restrain the respondents 7-22 from taking out procession to carry on Sapparam through the streets of Periyakandiamman Temple and Mahamariamman Temple, Sittilarai Village, Musiri Taluk, Trichy District, which is not the custom that was followed for decades.

For Petitioner : Mr.T.Leninkumar For R1 to 3 & 5 : Mr.S.S.Madhavan Additional Government Pleader For R4 : M/s.M.Aasha Government Advocate (Criminal Side) For R8 : Mr.T.Chandrasekar ***** 2/6

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to quash the order, dated 03.05.2025, passed by the 2nd respondent in the peace committee meeting conducted on 03.05.2025 in his proceedings "Nil" and consequently, to restrain the respondents 7 to 22 from taking out procession to carry on Sapparam through the streets of Periyakandiamman Temple and Mahamariamman Temple, Sittilarai Village, Musiri Taluk, Trichy District, which is not the custom that was followed for decades.

2.It is submitted by the learned Counsels appearing for the petitioner, official respondents and private respondents that the function has been conducted peacefully. Therefore, due to efflux, the present red petition cannot be entertained.

3.As far as the recurring problem in the present case is concerned, the temple is coming under the purview of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act. However, it is seen that the Executive Officer is in charge of the temple and there is no trustee appointed as per the direction in the suo motu writ petition in W.P.No.574 of 2015, dated 07.06.2021. 3/6

4.Therefore, the petitioner as well as the individual respondents from 7 to 22 are permitted to submit an application before the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Authority for appointing the trustees to the temple. The said application shall be submitted within a period of 4 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. On such receipt, the official respondents shall consider the same in the light of W.P.No.574 of 2015 and appoint trustees to the temple within a period of 6 months therefrom. As far as the customary right to take out procession to carry on Sapparam through the streets of Periyakandiamman Temple and Mahamariamman Temple is concerned, if the petitioner is really affected, he is permitted to approach appropriate Civil Court. 5.With the above observations, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

10.06.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes Tmg 4/6

To:

1.The District Collector, Trichy, Trichy District, 2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Musiri Taluk, Trichy District.

3.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Trichy District, Trichy.

4.The Inspector of Police, Musiri Police Station, Trichy District.

5.The Tahsildar, Musiri Taluk, Trichy District.

5/6

S.SRIMATHY , J.

Tmg ORDER MADE IN DATED :10.06.2025 6/6