Perumal v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 18.07.2023
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI WP(MD).No.17005 of 2023 and WMP(MD No.14224 of 2023 Perumal ... Petitioner Vs 1.The District Collector, District Collectorate Office, Madurai - 625020.
2.The Revenue Divisional Office, Usilampatty, Madurai District.
3.The Tahsildhar, Usilampatty, Madurai District.
4.The Superintendent of Police, Madurai.
5.The Inspector of Police, Valandur Police Station, Madurai District.
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6.Palanichamy 7.Murugan 8.Jayaraman 9.Mahadevan 10.Saravanan 11.M.Perumal 12.Perumal 13.Pandi 14.Pand 15.Kathiresan 16.Suresh 17.Soundrapandi ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 to take inventory of the Safe available in the Manthai of Kodikulam village, Usilampatty taluk, Madurai district and deposit the cash into any one of the Nationalized Bank, till the dispute is over in respect of the rights over Sri Nallthangal Temple and Perumal Temple situate in the said Kodikulam village, Usilampatty taluk, Madurai District based on the petitioners representation dated 16.06.2023.
For Petitioner : Mr.P.Malaichamy For R1 to R5 : Mrs.D.Farjana Ghoushia Special Government Pleader 2/6
O R D E R
The grievance of the petitioner is that in the guise of conducting Kumbabishekam of Sri Nallathangal Temple and Perumal Temple, Kodikulam Village, Usilampatty Taluk, Madurai, the respondents 6 to 17 are attempting to swindle the amount. Hence, the petitioner has filed this writ petition to direct the respondents 1 to 3 to take inventory of the Safe of the Temple and deposit the cash into any one of the Nationalized Bank.
2.Mrs.D.Farjana Ghoushia, learned Special Government Pleader, who takes notice for the respondents 1 to 5, on instructions submits that pursuant to the earlier order of this Court in WP(MD)No. 13608 of 2023, dated 12.06.2023, a Peace Committee Meeting was conducted on 17.07.2023 and a resolution was made enabling the parties to take out Rs.2000/- currency, which is available in the Safety 3/6
Locker and to convert it into Rs.500/- currencies and keep it in the safe custody of the Temple. She further submits that the valuables of the temple are kept separately in safety locker and the key of the safety locker is in the custody of eight villagers. The safety locker can be opened by using all the eight keys together. Therefore, there is no possibility for misappropriation of the temple amount. It is also reported that the entire amount kept in safety locker would be maintained by the eight persons along with the villagers. 3.Considering the submissions of the learned Special Government Pleader, the apprehension of the petitioner that the private respondents are attempting to swindle the temple amount is unwarranted.
4.In view of the above, this writ petition is closed. However, the respondents shall ensure the transparency in maintaining 4/6
the temple account. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.
18.07.2023 NCC : Yes / No.
Index : Yes / No.
vrn To 1.The District Collector, District Collectorate Office, Madurai - 625020.
2.The Revenue Divisional Office, Usilampatty, Madurai District.
3.The Tahsildhar, Usilampatty, Madurai District.
4.The Superintendent of Police, Madurai.
5.The Inspector of Police, Valandur Police Station, Madurai District.
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B.PUGALENDHI, J.
vrn Order made in WP(MD).No.17005 of 2023 18.07.2023 6/6