Sinthanraj T v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 09.07.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W.P(MD) No.18538 of 2025 Sinthanraj T ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, 2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Sivagangai 3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Thiruppuvanam Police Station, 6.The Thasildhar, Thiruppuvanam Taluk, 7.Arulmigu Kattikulam Sootukol Ramalingam Swamygal Mutt, Represented by the Hereditary Trustee, Having Office at Sootukol Ramalingam Vilasam, 1/7

Thirukoodal Malai, Thirupparankundram, Madurai - 625 005.

8.Rajendran, S/o. Ayyavu @ Soorathevan, Thiruppuvanam Puthur, Thiruppuvanam - 630 611, 9.Krishnaveni, D/o. Ayyavu @ Soorathevan, Thiruppuvanam Puthur, Thiruppuvanam - 630 611, 10.Eswaran, S/o. Ayyavu @ Soorathevan, Thiruppuvanam Puthur, Thiruppuvanam - 630 611, 11.Sengaisamy, S/o. Ayyavu @ Soorathevan, Thiruppuvanam Puthur, Thiruppuvanam - 630 611, 12.Selvaraj, S/o. Ayyavu @ Soorathevan, Thiruppuvanam Puthur, Thiruppuvanam - 630 611, 13.Alagunachi, W/o. Ayyanar, Thiruppuvanam Puthur, Thiruppuvanam - 630 611, 2/7

14.Tamilselvi, S/o. Ayyanar, Thiruppuvanam Puthur, Thiruppuvanam - 630 611, 15.Rajalakshmi, D/o. Ayyanar, Thiruppuvanam Puthur, Thiruppuvanam - 630 611, 16.Tamilarasi, D/o. Ayyanar, Thiruppuvanam Puthur, Thiruppuvanam - 630 611, 17.Selvaraj, S/o. Ayyanar, Thiruppuvanam Puthur, Thiruppuvanam - 630 611, 18.Ayyanar @ Gunasekaran, S/o. Ayyanar, Thiruppuvanam Puthur, Thiruppuvanam - 630 611, 19.Andi Ambalam, S/o. Ayyanar, Thiruppuvanam Puthur, Thiruppuvanam - 630 611,

...Respondents

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Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent Nos.2 and 3 to forbear the respondent No.7 from giving first honour in any manner to the respondent Nos.8 to 19 in respect of the temple/mutt maintained by the respondent No.7 comprised in Survey No.31/4 situated at Thiruppuvanam Puthur Group, Thiruppuvanam, Sivagangai District on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 07.06.2025 in accordance with law. For Petitioner : Mr.Ramesh.M For R1 to R4 and R6 : Mr.S.S.Madhavan, Additional Government Pleader For R5 : Mr.K.Sanjai Gandhi

ORDER

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the respondent Nos.1 to 4 and 6 and the learned counsel for the respondent No.5, this Writ Petition is disposed of at the time of admission after dispensing with the notice on the private respondent Nos.7 to 19.

2. It is informed by the learned counsel for the official respondent Nos.1 to 4 and 6 that the subject temple namely Arulmigu Kattikulam Sootukol Ramalingam Swamygal Mutt / 7th respondent is not a temple coming under the 4/7

purview of HR and CE Department. Therefore, the representation of the petitioner cannot be considered by the second and third respondents.

3. That apart, it is submitted that no proceedings are pending before District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai regarding the private dispute between the petitioner and the respondent Nos.8 to 19. Since the subject temple is not coming under the purview of the HR and CE Department, there is no question of directing the respondent Nos.2 and 3 to mediate the dispute between the petitioner and private respondents regarding first honor rights. Therefore, this Writ Petition is liable to be dismissed.

4. However, it is open to the petitioner to approach the District Revenue Officer, Sivagangai for appropriate relief, if so advised. As and when such application is filed before the jurisdictional District Revenue Officer, he/she shall consider and dispose the same as expeditiously as possible. 5/7

5. With the above liberty, this Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs. 09.07.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Indu To 1.The District Collector, 2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Sivagangai 3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Thiruppuvanam Police Station, 6.The Thasildhar, Thiruppuvanam Taluk, Sivagangai District.

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C.SARAVANAN, J.

Indu W.P(MD).No.18538 of 2025 09.07.2025 7/7