A.Renganathan v. The Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.08.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN and W.M.P.(MD) Nos.17767 & 17768 of 2025 A.Renganathan ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai.

2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Dindigul.

3. The Executive Officer, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Arulmigu Vandikaruppana Swamy Thirukovil, Thangammapatti, Dindigul District.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorari to call for the entire records pertaining to the impugned auction notice dated 06.08.2025 issued by the third respondent insofar 1/6

as the item Nos.1 and 2 are concerned, namely, collection of coins (Eri Kasu) thrown by the travellers and collection of Thattu Kasu being offered by the travellers plying through vehicles at Dindigul - Trichy Highways in front of the Arulmigu Vandi Karuppana Swami Thirukovil, Thangammapatti, Vedachandur Taluk, Dindigul District and quash the same.

For petitioner : Mr. R.Anand For respondents : Mr.S.S.Madhavan Additional Government Pleader *****

ORDER

This Writ Petition is taken up for hearing at the time of admission with the consent of the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents.

2. The petitioner, who is claiming to be a Hereditary Trustee of Arulmigu Vandi Karuppana Swami Thirukovil, situated at Dindigul - Vedasanthur Highway, has been repeatedly approaching this Court at each and every stage of tender notifications that have been floated by the TN HR & CE Department. Last of the Writ Petition that came to be for disposal in W.P.(MD) No.18534 of 2025, 2/6

wherein the petitioner had challenged the Auction Notice, dated 24.06.2025 issued by the Executive Officer of TN HR & CE Department of the Arulmigu Vandi Karuppana Swami Thirukovil, insofar as item No.1, namely, collection of coins thrown by the travellers plying through vehicles at Dindigul - Trichy Highway in front of the Arulmigu Vandi Karuppana Swami, Thirukovil, Thangammapatti, Vadechandur Taluk, Dindigul District is concerned and quash the same and consequently, direct the third respondent to comply with the order passed by the second respondent in Na.Ka.No.6681/2025/A3, dated 28.06.2025 based on the resolution passed by the petitioner as a Hereditary Trustee of the said Temple.

3. After hearing the arguments of the learned counsel for the petitioner in the said Writ Petition and after hearing the learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents 1 and 2 and the learned Standing Counsel for the third respondent, the Court had categorically directed the TN HR & CE Department to issue a fresh auction notice for both Thattu Kasu (plate collection) and Erikasu (collection of coins thrown in front of the temple) strictly in accordance with the 3/6

provisions of the Religious Institution (Lease of Immovable Property) Rules, 1963.

4. It is in furtherance of the said order, the impugned notice has been issued on 06.08.2025, which has now been questioned to be quashed by the petitioner primarily on the ground that the third respondent/Executive Officer is colluding with the Poosaries. It is further submitted that there can be no distinction between Thattu Kasu (plate collection) and Erikasu (collection of coins thrown in front of the temple).

5. The repeated challenge by the petitioner shows that the petitioner is attempting to corner the collections by thwarting the legitimate attempt of the TN HR & CE Department to regulate the donations/collections from the said Temple. Therefore, this Writ Petition is liable to be dismissed.

6. The petitioner as the Hereditary Trustee is expected to cooperate with the TN HR & CE Department and not to indulge in disturbing regulation and account of the donations/offerings.

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7. This Writ Petition is disposed of, with the above observations. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. Index : Yes / No 20.08.2025 Internet : Yes / No apd To

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai.

2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Dindigul.

3. The Executive Officer, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Arulmigu Vandikaruppana Swamy Thirukovil, Thangammapatti, Dindigul District.

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C.SARAVANAN, J.

apd 20.08.2025 6/6