Madras High CourtWP(MD)/2707/2018closed

S.Muthukumar v. The Chief Secretary

2024-01-31Honourable Mr Justice D. Krishnakumar,Honourable Mr Justice R.Vijayakumar8 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 31.01.2024

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.KRISHNAKUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR and W.M.P.(MD)No.2888 of 2018 S.Muthukumar : Petitioner Vs.

1.The Chief Secretary, State of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, State of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.

3.The Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, State of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.

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4.The Director General of Archeological Department, Office of the Director General, No.24, Tilak Marg, New Delhi.

5.The Commissioner of Town and Country Planning, Office of the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning, Chennai - 600 002.

6.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

7.The District Collector, Collectorate, Madurai.

8.The Commissioner of Police, Office of the Commissioner of Police, Madurai.

9.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai.

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10.The Commissioner, Madurai Corporation, Madurai.

11.The Superintendent, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai.

: Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to constitute a state level committee including the officials of the archeological department to monitor the security and safety arrangements and renovation and maintenance of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and other Hindu Temples under the Administration of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department in the State of Tamil Nadu.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Neelamegam For Respondents : Mr.N.Satheesh Kumar Additional Government Pleader [R1 to 3, 5 to 7 & 11] For Respondent No.8 : Mr.R.Meenakshi Sundaram Additional Public Prosecutor For Respondent No.10 : Mr.S.Vinayak 3/8

O R D E R

************ [Order of the Court was made by D.KRISHNAKUMAR, J.] This Writ Petition has been filed for a direction to the respondents to constitute a state level committee including the officials of the archeological department to monitor the security and safety arrangements and renovation and maintenance of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and other Hindu Temples under the Administration of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department in the State of Tamil Nadu.

2.Today, when the matter was taken up for hearing, learned Counsel appearing for the respondent temple submitted that already High Court High Level Committee has been formed and now they have removed all the shops located within the temple premises. He further submitted that as on date there are no shops operating inside the temple premises and further temple administration has taken a decision not to permit any commercial shops within temple premises and further all the renovation works are being carried out in temple premises only after getting necessary approval from High Court High Level Committee. 4/8

3.Recording the aforesaid submission, this Writ Petition stands closed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [D.K.K.,J.] & [R.V.,J.] 31.01.2024 Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No MR 5/8

To 1.The Chief Secretary, State of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.