Ranganathan @ Raguram v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 04.07.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR .JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W.P(MD) No.18351 of 2025 and W.M.P(MD) No.14061 of 2025 Ranganathan @ Raguram ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Tirunelveli.

2.The Joint Commissioner of HR and CE, Tirunelveli.

3.The Assistant Commissioner of HR and CE, Tirunelveli.

4.The Inspector of HR and CE, Ambasamuthiram, 5.The Inspector of Police, Kalidaikurichi, Ambasamuthiram Taluk, 6.Sivaramkrishnan V, S/o. Vanjeeswaran, No.22, Thonthivillagam Street, Kalidaikurichi, Ambasamuthiram Taluk, 1/6

7.Ramnath R, S/o. Raja Gobalan, No.47, Thonthivillagam Street, Kalidaikurichi, Ambasamuthiram Taluk, 8.Sahasranaman, S/o. Krishnan, No.61, Thonthivillagam Street, Kalidaikurichi, Ambasamuthiram Taluk,

...Respondents

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 2 to 4 to inspect the temple of Arulmigu Dundi Vinayagar Temple, Thonthivilagam Village, Kalidaikurichi, Ambasamuthiram Taluk, Tirunelveli District for ascertaining the renovation work to perform Kumbabisekam by following Vedic Rituals and ensure to perform Kumbabisekam by experienced Vedic Scholars and consequently direct the respondents 1 to 5 to take appropriate steps to initiate the action as against the respondents 6 to 8 for collecting illegal donation and gratification for the renovation work and also for making arrangements to perform Kumbabisekam without obtaining prior permission from the HR and CE Department by considering petitioner's representation by 17.06.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Paranjothi For R1 to R4 : Mr.S.S.Madhavan Additional Government Pleader 2/6

For R5 : Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi Government Advocate (Crl. Side) For R6 to R8 : Mr.TSR.Venkatraman, Standing Counsel for M/s.Janaki Devi

ORDER

The petitioner has approached this Court at the eleventh hour before Kumbabishekam has to be conducted in the subject temple namely Arulmigu Dundi Vinayagar Temple, Thonthivilagam Village, Kalidaikurichi, Ambasamuthiram Taluk, Tirunelveli District. The complaint of the petitioner is that the private respondents have taken upon themselves to initiate Kumbabishekam without getting approval of the HR and CE Department and they are collecting money in the guise of Kumbabishekam.

2. The learned counsel for the official respondents would submit that Kumbabishekam is being conducted under the supervision and guidance of Executive Officer of Kaasinatha Swamy temple, Ambasamuthiram, who has appointed as special officer of the subject temple. It is submitted that on 02.07.2025, an order was passed by the Assistant Commissioner, HR and CE Department, Tirunelveli, for initiating minor painting work and repair work in the subject temple. On 03.07.2025, the Additional Commissioner, 3/6

Commissioner Office, HR and CE Department, Chennai, has passed further order setting out certain conditions. In the said order, it is also stated that the private respondents shall not collect any donations from public. Thus, the petitioner's concern has been addressed. In case, there is any illegal collection of donations by the private respondents, the official respondents shall take appropriate action against the private respondent Nos.6 to 8 in accordance with 5(A) of Collection of Income and the Incurring of Expenditure Rules circulated in G.O(MS) No.4065 (Revenue), dated 26.09.1961.

3. With the above, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. Connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. No costs.

04.07.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Indu 4/6

To 1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Tirunelveli.

2.The Joint Commissioner of HR and CE, Tirunelveli.

3.The Assistant Commissioner of HR and CE, Tirunelveli.

4.The Inspector of HR and CE, Ambasamuthiram, 5/6

C.SARAVANAN, J.

Indu W.P(MD).No.18351 of 2025 04.07.2025 6/6