S.Vanangamudi v. The District Collector,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 28.07.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY S.Vanangamudi Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The District Collector Office of the District Collector, Karur, Karur District.
2.The District Revenue Officer, Office of The District Revenue Office, Karur, Karur District.
3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of The Revenue Divisional Office, Karur, Karur District.
4.The Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, 1/6
5.The Village Administrative Officer, Village Administrative Office, Aandangovil East, 6.Arjunan Respondent(s) PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the Respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 11.07.2025 and consequently direct the 4th respondent to reclaim the Madurai Veeran Pasuvathi Amman Temple, which belongs to the Andankovil local people, from the hands of the dishonest thieves and make arrangements for the local people to worship it, or the Tamil Nadu Government should take steps to take it and make arrangements to take legal action against the 6th respondent, who demolished the temple, within the time frame stipulated by this court.
For Petitioner : Mr.J.Sathiaraj For Respondents : Mr.M.Senthil Ayyanar Government Advocate (for R1 to R5) 2/6
ORDER
This writ petition is filed for Writ of Mandamus, to direct the Respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 11.07.2025 and consequently to direct the 4th respondent to reclaim the Madurai Veeran Pasuvathi Amman Temple, which belongs to the Andankovil local people, from the hands of the dishonest thieves and make arrangements for the local people to worship it, or the Tamil Nadu Government should take steps to take it and make arrangements to take legal action against the 6th respondent, who demolished the temple. 2.The contention of the petitioner is that the sixth respondent has unilaterally taken a decision to demolish the existing temple and he is forcefully collecting Rs.10,500/- from each family to put up the construction of the new temple.
3.In view of the above, this Court is of the considered opinion that any temple ought to be constructed through voluntary contributions and funds cannot be forcibly collected from the people. Secondly, the sixth respondent cannot individually put up any construction and a committee must be constituted for the construction and administration of the temple. Therefore, the action of the sixth respondent is totally against the administration of temple. Therefore, the fourth respondent/Tahsildar is strictly directed to issue notice to the petitioner, the sixth 3/6
respondent and other villagers and conduct an enquiry and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law. The fourth respondent/Tahsildar shall pass an order after taking into consideration the above observation stated supra. The said exercise shall be completed within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
4.With the above observations, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.
28.07.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes Vsg 4/6
To 1.The District Collector Office of the District Collector, Karur, Karur District.
2.The District Revenue Officer, Office of The District Revenue Office, Karur, Karur District.
3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of The Revenue Divisional Office, Karur, Karur District.
4.The Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, 5.The Village Administrative Officer, Village Administrative Office, Aandangovil East, 5/6
S.SRIMATHY , J.
Vsg ORDER MADE IN DATED : 28.07.2025 6/6