Neelamegam v. The District Collector
1 W.P.(MD)NO.19656 OF 2025 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 04.09.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P.(MD)Nos.19656 & 24013 of 2025 and W.M.P.(MD)No.15102 of 2025 W.P.(MD)No.19656 of 2025 Neelamegam ... Petitioner Vs.
1. The District Collector, District Collector Office,
2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, No.40, Muthusamy Nagar, Thirupathur Road,
3. The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department,
4. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Devakottai Zone,
5. The Tahsildar, Thiruppathur Taluk,
6. Kodeeswaran
7. Senthilnathan 1/8
2 W.P.(MD)NO.19656 OF 2025
8. Muthukumar
9. Dineshkumar 10.Senthilkumar ... Respondents Prayer: Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned notice Mu.Mu.A5/352/2025 dated 04.06.2025 issued by the fifth respondent and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the third respondent to conduct necessary action as per the second respondent proceedings in O.Mu.No.3819/2025/E3 dated 19.06.2025.
For Petitioner : Ms.A.Banumathy For R-1 to R-5 : Mr.S.Kameshwaran, Government Advocate.
For R-6,R-7,R-8 & R-10 : Mr.Senthil Kumar * * * W.P.(MD)No.24013 of 2025 S.Kodeeswaran ... Petitioner Vs.
1. The District Collector, District Collector Office,
2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thirupathur, Sivagangai.
3. The Tahsildar, Thirupathur, Sivagangai.
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3 W.P.(MD)NO.19656 OF 2025
4. Neelamegam
5. The Inspector of Police, Thirupathur police station, (R-5 is suo motu impleaded vide order dated 03.09.2025) ... Respondents Prayer: Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the first respondent to implement the order of the third respondent dated 04.06.2025 to conduct Antharanachiamman temple Kumbabishekam on 05.09.2025.
For Petitioner : Ms.M.S.Senthil Kumar, for M/s.Sree Kaamaakshi Law Associates.
For R-1 to R-3 : Mr.B.Ramanathan, Additional Government Pleader.
For R-5 : Mr.A.Albert James, Government Advocate.
For R-4 : Ms.A.Banumathy * * * C O M M O N O R D E R Heard both sides.
2. The case on hand pertains to the affairs of Antharanachiamman temple, Kottaiyiruppu, Thiruppathur Taluk. The temple building has become quite old and dilapidated. 3/8
4 W.P.(MD)NO.19656 OF 2025 Renovation was proposed to be held. Hence, the deity was shifted and placed in Balalayam. But on account of the factional disputes, Kumbabishekam could not be conducted. And quite a few cases were filed.
3. While so, the Tahsildar, Thirupathur vide order dated 04.06.2025 directed that Kumbabishekam should be performed within three months. Challenging the same, Neelmegam filed W.P. (MD)No.19656 of 2025. For enforcing the said order, Kodeeswaran filed W.P.(MD)No.24013 of 2025.
4. Both the writ petitioners belong to the same community(Adhi Dravidar community).
5. Considering the said aspect, the following directions are issued:- a) Since the deity has been kept in Balalayam for more than a year, it is not proper to continue such an arrangement any further. For this reason, the deity shall be shifted back to the temple tomorrow. "Ganapathy Homam" 4/8
5 W.P.(MD)NO.19656 OF 2025 alone shall be performed and there will not be any elaborate rituals. All the four temple priests (Thiru.Chidambaram, Thiru.Shanmugavel, Thiru.Karthi and Thiru.Chandran) will be involved. If Chidambaram who appears to be with Neelamegam is not willing to be a part of the event, he will not be compelled. Whether to participate in tomorrow's "Ganapathy Homam" or not is left to Chidambaram's discretion and choice.
b) Thiruppani committee shall be constituted within two weeks. The committee shall have equal representation (3 + 3) from Kodeeswaran side as well as Neelamegam side. Six members will be constituted. c) Since the temple has become quite dilapidated, the existing structure will be dismantled. The temple structure shall be dismantled immediately after Deepavali, in the first week of November, 2025.
d) A new temple shall be constructed and Kumbabishekam will be performed within a period of three months, thereafter.
e) Kumbabishekam will be held under the aegis of 5/8
6 W.P.(MD)NO.19656 OF 2025 the Tahsildar, Thirupathur Taluk.
f) No person shall be given any first honour or privileges.
g) A common note book shall be maintained and contribution shall be received from any devotee. The expenditure for Kumbabishekam shall be met out of the funds generated for that purpose. It will not be called as Head Tax(Thalaikattu Vari).
h) The jurisdictional police is directed to close all the pending complaints. Shri. Neelamegam fairly comes forward to withdraw the complaint given to HR&CE Department and the said complaint shall also be closed by the Joint Commissioner, HR&CE Department, Thirupathur.
6. These writ petitions stand disposed of accordingly. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 04.09.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No PMU Note : Issue order copy on 04.09.2025.
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7 W.P.(MD)NO.19656 OF 2025 To:
1. The District Collector, District Collector Office,
2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, No.40, Muthusamy Nagar, Thirupathur Road,
3. The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department,
4. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Devakottai Zone,
5. The Tahsildar, Thiruppathur Taluk,
6. The Inspector of Police, Thirupathur police station, 7/8
8 W.P.(MD)NO.19656 OF 2025 G.R.SWAMINATHAN,J.
PMU W.P.(MD)No.19656 of 2025 04.09.2025 8/8