G. Rajendran v. The Commissioner,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 28.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN Writ Petition(MD)No.23274 of 2025 G.Rajendran ... Petitioner Vs.
1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Numgampakkam High Road, Chennai-34.
2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Dindigul, Dindigul District.
3. V.S.Balaraman, Sillarpatti, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District.
... Respondent Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondent Nos.1 to 2 to ensure that there shall not be any first honour to anybody in the absence of any specific order from the Respondent No.2 herein under Section 63(e) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act in Arulmigu Sri Rukmani Sathyabama Samyedha Sri Gopalasamy Malaikovil, Mothagam Village, 1/5
Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District within the time period stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.M.Mahaboob Fazil for M/s Roy and Roy Associates For Respondents : Mr.S.S.Madhavan Addl. Govt. Pleader (for R1 and R2)
ORDER
This writ petition is disposed of at the time of admission, after hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 and
2. Since no adverse order is to be passed, notice to the third respondent is dispensed with.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that the third respondent has been conferred with a special privilege to carry the deity of Arulmigu Sri Rukmani Sathyabama Samyedha Sri Gopalasamy Malaikovil, Mothagam Village, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District, contrary to the provisions of Section 63(e) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959. It is further alleged that the third respondent is being permitted to take the deity to his native place, Silivar Patti, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District. The petitioner, being a 2/5
devotee of the said temple, is aggrieved by the same and has, therefore, approached the respondents 1 and 2 seeking appropriate directions. However, no response has been forthcoming from the official respondents. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.
3. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 and 2, on the other hand, would submit that the third respondent is a philanthropist who had donated a sum of approximately Rs.70 lakhs towards the Kumbabishekam and consecration of the deity in the said temple. It is contended that the deity was never taken outside the temple premises, and that the photographs enclosed in the typed set of papers only indicate that the privilege was conferred on the third respondent to lift the deity outside the sanctum sanctorum, but within the temple premises. It is further submitted that this privilege was granted as a token of honour in recognition of the donation made by the third respondent for the said religious ceremonies.
4. Having considered the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 and 2, this Court is of the view that the writ petition can be disposed of with the following direction: 3/5
5. The second respondent is directed to consider and pass appropriate orders on the petitioner's representation dated 09.08.2025. In the event that there exist any rules under the Act which permit the conferment of such privileges on a prime donor apart from Section 63(e) of the Act, the same may be recognized. However, in the absence of any such rules, such a benefit shall not be conferred. The second respondent shall pass appropriate orders, after affording due opportunity of hearing to the third respondent, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
6. This writ petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 28.08.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes skn To
1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Numgampakkam High Road, Chennai-34.
2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Dindigul, Dindigul District.
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C.SARAVANAN, J.
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