Chinnaraja Msk v. The Commissioner
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 22.07.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI M.S.K.Chinnaraja ... Petitioner versus 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai.
2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Thanjavur & District.
3.The Assistant Commissioner of HR and CE, Pudukottai.
4.The District Collector, Pudukottai and District.
5.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukottai District.
6.The Tahsildar, Alangudi Taluk, Alangudi, Pudukottai district.
1/9
7.The Inspector of Police, Keeramangalam Police Station, Keeramangalam, Pudukottai district.
8.V.K.Mohan 9.A.N.Rajendran 10.V.Sivagnanam 11.S.Madhavan ... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the constitution of India, seeking for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents 1 and 2 to take appropriate steps and pass an order to conduct the 11 days of Aadi festival of Arulmigu Muthumariamman temple of Keeramangalam village, Alangudi taluk, Pudukottai district under the direct control and supervision of the 3rd respondent, till attaining the final disposal with regard to the Karai right arose in between the petitioner's Agamudaiyar Karaidhars and other four Karaidhars, ie., Munda Devan Karai, Thanan Karai, Sivanathan Karai by considering the petitioner's representation dated 14.07.2025. 2/9
For Petitioner : Mr.K.Baalasundaram Senior counsel for M/s.KBS. Law Office For Respondent : Mr.S.S.Madhavan Nos.1 to 3 Additional Government Pleader For Respondents : Mr.F.Deepak, Nos.4 to 6 Special Public Prosecutor For Respondent : Mr.VR.Shanmuganathan Nos.11
ORDER
The petitioner has approached this court seeking a direction to the 1st and 2nd respondents to pass orders to conduct the festival under the control of the 3rd respondent based on his representation. 2.The learned senior counsel for the petitioner submits that they have scheduled 11 days festival of Arulmigu Muthumariamman temple, Keeramangalam village, Pudukottai district commencing from 20.07.2025. However the rival groups made arrangements to celebrate pongal festival on 18.07.2025. Therefore, they have sent representation to the respondents and filed this petition with the above prayer. The 3/9
learned senior counsel further submits that the petitioner has approached this court in WPCRL(MD)No.395 of 2025 seeking a direction to the Inspector of Police, Keeramangalam to ensure that the petitioner's right of worship and to perform the 4th day festival in the temple. This court by order dated 03.07.2025 directed the Assistant Commissioner, HR and CE Department, Pudukottai to take a decision. However, the request of the petitioner has been rejected by order dated 11.07.2025.
3.The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 submits that as directed by this court in WPCRL(MD)No.395 of 2025, the 3rd respondent has conducted an enquiry and directed the petitioner to approach the Joint Commissioner, HR and CE Department, Thanjavur by filing a petition under Section 63(e) of the HR and CE Act and to get his grievance redressed. However, the petitioner has filed this petition. 4/9
4.This court has considered the rival submissions made and perused the materials placed on record.
5.The petitioner claims that there are five Karaidhars for the subject temple. They have proposed to conduct 11 days festival commencing from 20.07.2025. Due to difference of opinion the other Karaidhar have planned to conduct the festival separately without the participation of the petitioner Karaidhar. Therefore, the petitioner has earlier filed a petition before this court in WPCRLMD)No.395 of 2025 and this court on 03.07.2025 has passed the following order: "The petitioner has approached this Court seeking a direction to settle the issue between the Karaithars.
2. This Court is of the view that the respondent Police has nothing to do with this prayer and therefore, this Court directs the fourth respondent to conduct an enquiry, find a solution between the parties, ensure that there is no law and order problem in celebrating festivals and a decision may be taken prior to the festival.
5/9
3. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs."
6.In pursuance of the above order, the Assistant Commissioner of HR and CE Department, Thanjavur district has conducted an enquiry and by his proceedings in Na.Ka.No.3807/2025/A1, dated 11.07.2025 directed that the festival for this year be conducted, as done in the past and directed the petitioner to redress his grievance by way of filing an application under Section 63(e) of the HR and CE Act before the Joint Commissioner, HR and CE Department, Thanjavur. 7.This Court in WPCRL(MD)No.395 of 2025 by order dated 03.07.2025 directed the 3rd respondent to conduct an enquiry and to take a decision. Accordingly the 3rd respondent has passed order rejecting the request of the petitioner and also directed him to approach the Joint Commissioner for establishing his rights. However the petitioner without challenging the order of the 3rd respondent has filed this writ petition seeking a mandamus. Therefore, this court is not 6/9
inclined to grant the relief as sought for in this writ petition. The petitioner is at liberty to challenge the order of the 3rd respondent or he can work out his remedy by approaching the Joint Commissioner, HR and CE Department, Thanjavur as ordered by the 3rd respondent. 8.This writ petition is disposed of in the above terms. No costs. 22.07.2025 DSK Internet : Yes 7/9
To 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai.
2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Thanjavur & District.
3.The Assistant Commissioner of HR and CE, Pudukottai.
4.The District Collector, Pudukottai and District.
5.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukottai District.
6.The Tahsildar, Alangudi Taluk, Alangudi, Pudukottai district.
7.The Inspector of Police, Keeramangalam Police Station, Keeramangalam, Pudukottai district.
8. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
8/9
B.PUGALENDHI, J.
DSK 22.07.2025 9/9