K.Palanisamy v. The Commissioner
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 03.06.2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C. SARAVANAN and W.M.P.(MD) Nos.10734 and 10741 of 2025 1.K.Palanisamy 2.R.Gowri Shankar 3.K.Shanmugam 4.N.Palanivel ... Petitioners Vs.
1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai - 600 034.
2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Thanjavur District.
3.The District Committee Through its Chairman, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Thanjavur District.
4.The Executive Officer, Arulmighu Atchayapurishwar Thirukovil, Vilangkulam, Thanjavur District.
... Respondents Page No. 1 of 5
PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to transparently conduct the selection process of trustees in the 'Arulmighu Atchayapurishwar Thirukovil' by following the minimum process of fairness without there being any political affiliation and consequently to consider the petitioners for appointment to the post of non-hereditary trustees in accordance with law in pursuant to the Notification dated 02.01.2025 issued by the second respondent vide Proceedings in Notice No.11006/2021-54/A3 within the period that may be stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioners : Mr.M.Mohamed Zamil for M/s.Ajmal Associates For Respondents : Mr.S.S.Madhavan Additional Government Pleader *****
O R D E R
The petitioners have filed this Writ Petition for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to transparently conduct the selection process for trustees of the 'Arulmighu Atchayapurishwar Thirukovil' by following the minimum process of fairness, without any political affiliation and consequently consider the petitioners for appointment to the post of non-hereditary trustees in accordance with the law, pursuant to the Notification dated 02.01.2025 issued by the second Page No. 2 of 5
respondent in Proceedings Notice No.11006/2021-54/A3, within the period that may be stipulated by this Court.
2. This Writ Petition has become infructuous in view of the order dated 08.05.2025, bearing reference No.Se.Mu.Na.Ka.No.1019/2025/A3, passed by the Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Thanjavur District, namely the second respondent herein, appointing three persons as non-hereditary trustees of the subject temple. The same has been challenged by the petitioner in collateral proceedings in W.P.(MD) No.14669 of 2025.
3. Considering the same, this Writ Petition is dismissed, leaving it open to the petitioner to work out the remedy in W.P.(MD) No.14669 of 2025. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed.
03.06.2025 JEN To 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai - 600 034.
Page No. 3 of 5
2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Thanjavur District.
3.The District Committee Through its Chairman, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Thanjavur District.
Page No. 4 of 5
C.SARAVANAN , J.
JEN and W.M.P.(MD) Nos.10734 and 10741 of 2025 03.06.2025 Page No. 5 of 5