Sree Rama Lakshmana Perumal v. The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 14.06.2023

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SUBRAMANIAN AND THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Sree Rama Lakshmana Perumal ... Petitioner -vs1. The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, Suchindhram, Kanyakumari District.

2. The Superintendent, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, Padmanabapuram Region, Kanyakumari District.

3. The Sree Kaariyam (Manager), Ponmanai Dewasom, Kanyakumari District.

4. Sreekandan President, Baktha Jana Seva Sangam, Thippilankudi Mahadevar Temple, Ponmanai, Kanyakumari District.

... Respondents

PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 3 to forbear the 4th respondent and other locality people from collecting fund from the devotees in the guise of temple management and administration of Thippilankudi Mahadevar Thirukovil, Ponmanai in Kanyakumari District by considering the petitioners representation dated 31.01.2023 and 17.02.2023.

For Petitioner :

Mr.R.Rajesh For Respondents :

Mr.K.Sathiya Singh Standing Counsel for R1 and R2

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by R.SUBRAMANIAN, J.] Mr.K.Sathiya Singh, learned Standing Counsel takes notice for the respondents 1 and 2.

2. With the consent of both sides, the writ petition is taken up for final hearing at the admission stage itself.

3. The complaint of the petitioner is that the fourth respondent is collecting money from the devotees claiming that the same is to be used for the temple expenditure. According to the petitioner, it is an unauthorised collection of money which should not be permitted by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department. It is also claimed that the income and expenditure statement of the fourth respondent is published in the premises of the temple.

4. Mr.Sathiya Singh, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents 1 and 2 would submit that neither the fourth respondent nor any other person has been authorised by the HR and CE department for collecting money on behalf of the temple.

5. The receipts issued by the fourth respondent do not show that the collection is made on behalf of the temple. The receipts are printed in the name of "kahBjth; gf;jh; FG" prima facie does not show that the collection is done on behalf of the temple or for the temple.

6. As regards allegation that the income and expenditure statement has been published in the temple premises, learned Standing Counsel would submit that the same is incorrect and even any such publication is made, immediate action would be taken.

7. Recording the aforesaid submission, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. [R.S.M., J.] [L.V.G., J.] 14.06.2023 NCC : No Index : No Internet : Yes PKN

To

1. The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, Suchindhram, Kanyakumari District.

2. The Superintendent, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, Padmanabapuram Region, Kanyakumari District.

R.SUBRAMANIAN , J.

AND L.VICTORIA GOWRI , J.

PKN 14.06.2023