B.Ramkumar Adityan v. Additional Chief Secretary

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 18.06.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE A.D.MARIA CLETE and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.12506 & 12508 of 2025 B.Ramkumar Adityan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009.

2.Commissioner, 3.Joint Commissioner - Thiruppani, State Level Expert Committee on Heritage Temples, 4.Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer, Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Thirukovil, 1/6

Tiruchendur-628 215.

5.Bramha Shri. Subramniyaru Thanthuri, Thanthuri of Muttavila Madam, Religious Head, Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Thirukovil, Muttavila, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695 610.

...Respondents

PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 2 and 3 to appoint a Committee of Agama experts of Thantra Samuchiyam, Kerala Sambrathaya Agamam and Kumara Thantram Agamam to finalise the renovation work and repair work in the 4th respondent Temple under the head of Bramha Shri.Subramaniyaru Thanthuri, Thanthuri of Muttavila Madam / 5th respondent in the light of the order of the 1st respondent in G.O.(Ms)No.264, Tourism, Culture and Charitable Endowments (Ane.1.1) Department, dated 01.11.2016 as requested in the representation dated 22.12.2023 and 05.06.2025 of the petitioner.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Sankar For R1 to R3 : Mr.P.Subbaraj, Special Government Pleader For R4 : Mr.M.Muthugeethaiyan, Standing Counsel 2/6

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) The Writ on hand has been instituted to direct the respondents 2 and 3 to appoint a Committee of Agama experts of Thantra Samuchiyam, Kerala Sambrathaya Agamam and Kumara Thantram Agamam to finalise the renovation work and repair work in the 4th respondent Temple under the head of Bramha Shri.Subramaniyaru Thanthuri, Thanthuri of Muttavila Madam / 5th respondent, in the light of the order of the 1st respondent in G.O.(Ms)No.264, Tourism, Culture and Charitable Endowments (Ane.1.1) Department, dated 01.11.2016 as requested in the representation dated 22.12.2023 and 05.06.2025 of the petitioner. 2.The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 4th respondent would submit that the issues raised in the present Writ Petition are no more res-integra.

The Division Bench of this Court has elaborately considered the issues and passed orders on 07.06.2021 in Suo Motu W.P.No.574 of 2015 and W.P.(MD)No.24178 of 2018. That apart, the Government has already appointed an Expert Committee in G.O.(Ms)No.122, Tourism, Culture and Charitable Endowments (Ane.1.1) Department, dated 18.10.2021.

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3.In view of the above, if at all the petitioner is of an opinion that any custom and practice is being violated, he is at liberty to approach the competent authority under HR & CE Act. As far as the relief sought for in the present Writ Petition is concerned, the Expert Committee has already been appointed by the Government in pursuance of the order of this Court and therefore, no further adjudication is required. Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. (S.M.S., J.) & (A.D.M.C., J.) 18.06.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Yuva To 1.Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009.

2.Commissioner, 4/6

3.Joint Commissioner - Thiruppani, State Level Expert Committee on Heritage Temples, 5/6

S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.

AND DR.A.D.MARIA CLETE, J.

Yuva 18.06.2025 6/6