M.Senthilkumar v. The Joint Commissioner,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 20.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN M.Senthilkumar ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Tiruvaanaikoil, Trichy.
2.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Tiruvaanaikoil, Trichy.
3.The Idol of Sree Veeramakaliamman Temple, Rep by its Hereditary Trustee, V.Edayapatti Village, Marungapuri Taluk, Trichy District.
...Respondents
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to allocate 8th day Mandagapadi in the name M.Senthilkumar S/o.Mookaiahkonar vagaiyara, as allocated in (2024) last year by following the usual practice, custom and Right of the Sree Veeramakaliamman temple, 1/6
on the basis of Petitioner's representation dated 04.08.2025, with in time frame fixed by this Court and pass such further or other orders as this Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of this case. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Anandraj For R1 & R2 : Mr.S.S.Madhavan Additional Government Pleader For R3 : Mr.K.Arun Raj For Intervener : Mr.T.Thirumurugan
ORDER
The petitioner has approached this Court for a direction to the respondents, particularly the third respondent to allocate the 8th day Mandagapadi in the name of the petitioner and others, as allocated in the year 2024, following the usual practice, customs and rights in Arulmigu Sree Veeramakaliamman temple, Kovilpatti Village, Minikiyur, Marungapuri Taluk, Trichy District.
2. The petitioner claims that he is the elder son of Late.Mookaiahkonar through his mother, Late.Dhanalakshmi. It is submitted that the petitioner's father had executed an authorisation document (cWjpnkhop rkhjhd gj;jpuk;) dated 14.05.2012, wherein, he authorised the petitioner to conduct 2/6
the 8th day Mandagapadi as per the usual customs of the said Temple, on his behalf on account of his illness.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner's father died on 05.12.2023 and that in terms of the aforesaid letter of authorisation dated 14.05.2012, the 8th day Mandagapadi on 12.08.2024 was conferred on the petitioner. Therefore, the petitioner is asking for similar relief for this year also from the third respondent.
4. Mr.T.Thirumurugan, learned counsel appears on behalf of the legal heirs of late.Mookaiahkonar through his first wife, Vellaiammal submits that there is a dispute regarding the status of the petitioner as a legal heir of late.Mookaiahkonar. It is submitted that the Revenue Department has rejected the issuance of a legal heir certificate in favour of the petitioner. Consequently, the legal heirs of the first wife, Vellaiammal, have filed a suit in O.S. No.55 of 2024 before the District Munsif Court, Manapparai, seeking a declaration that they alone are the legal heirs of late Mookaiahkonar, wherein the petitioner has been arrayed as the first defendant. It is therefore submitted that the petitioner could not be given any privilege in the ensuing temple festival (8th day Mandagapadi in the aforesaid Temple). 3/6
5. The learned counsel for the third respondent submits that till 2023, 8th day Mandagapadi was conducted by late.Mookaiahkonar and in the year 2024 since the letter of authorisation produced by the petitioner, he was allowed to conduct the Mandagapadi on the 8th day.
6. However, it is submitted that since a dispute has arisen regarding who is entitled to conduct the 8th day Mandagapadi during the Temple festival, the third respondent will allow whichever party produces the necessary documents to establish that they are the legal heirs of the late.Mookaiahkonar or the parties agree for an amicable settlement.
7. Since there is a dispute between the petitioner and Elumalai and Pitchaiammal and Ilanjiyam, regarding the entitlement to the 8th day Mandagapadi rights, the said rights cannot be considered at this stage. Under these circumstances, the privilege of conducting the 8th day Mandagapadi right cannot be conferred either to the petitioner or to the Elumalai, Pitchaiammal, Ilanjiyam, who are claiming legal heirs through Vellaiammal, first wife of Late.Mookaiahkonar.
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8. The writ petition stands disposed of. However, it is open to the parties to resolve the issue amicably and approach the third respondent, who shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders under Section 63(e) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endomwents Act, 1959. No costs.
20.08.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No sn To 1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Tiruvaanaikoil, Trichy.
2.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Tiruvaanaikoil, Trichy.
3.The Hereditary Trustee, Idol of Sree Veeramakaliamman Temple, V.Edayapatti Village, 5/6
Marungapuri Taluk, Trichy District.
C.SARAVANAN, J.
sn W.P(MD).No.22761 of 2025 20.08.2025 6/6