E.Ramalakshmi v. The Secretary

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 11.08.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN E.Ramalakshmi ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

3.The Joint Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Villupuram.

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4.The Secretary, Home Department, Government of India, New Delhi.

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 to immediately constitute a High Level Committee as per the order of the third respondent in Na.Ka.No.3719/2019/A2 dated 31.07.2019 for getting opinion for recommending to declare Saint Vallalar's Suththa Sanmargam as a new marga and his doctrine as a new doctrine revealed in the 19th century within the time frame to be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Purushothaman For RR 1 to 3 : Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader For R - 4 : Mr.P.Sundaravadivel

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) The writ on hand has been instituted to direct the respondents 1 to 3 to immediately constitute a High Level Committee as per the order of 2/6

the third respondent in Na.Ka.No.3719/2019/A2 dated 31.07.2019 for getting opinion for recommending to declare Saint Vallalar's Suththa Sanmargam as a new margam and his doctrine as a new doctrine revealed in the 19th century.

2.The learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 furnished a copy of the order passed by the Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments vide proceedings dated 31.07.2025 holding that the order of the Joint Commissioner dated 31.07.2019 is not in consonance with the provisions of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act and Rules. 3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the appointment of the Committee by the Joint Commissioner alone is found to be erroneous by the Commissioner, HR & CE Department. Therefore, the petitioner seeks liberty to approach the Government. 3/6

4.In view of the above, this Court is of the considered view that it is left open to the parties to work out their remedy in the manner known to law.

5.With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

[S.M.S.,J.] & [G.A.M.,J.] 11.08.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps 4/6

To 1.The Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

3.The Joint Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Villupuram.

4.The Secretary, Home Department, Government of India, New Delhi.

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S.M.SUBRAMANIAM , J.

and G.ARUL MURUGAN , J.

ps ORDER MADE IN DATED : 11.08.2025 6/6