S.Ravikandhan v. The Joint Commissioner,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 28.08.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN Writ Petition(MD)Nos.23321 to 23324 & 23519 of 2025 and W.M.P(MD)Nos.18326, 18335, 18327, 18328, 18353, 18478 & 18480 of 2025 W.P(MD)Nos.23321 to 23324 of 2025 S.Ravikandhan ..Petitioner in W.P(MD)No.23321 of 2025 S.Mangala Batter ..Petitioner in W.P(MD)No.23322 of 2025 M.Hariharamoorthy ..Petitioner in W.P(MD)No.23323 of 2025 Satheesh Pandiyan ..Petitioner in W.P(MD)No.23324 of 2025 Vs.
1 The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District. 2 The Hereditary Trustee, Hereditary Trustee Ramanathapuram Samasthanam Devasthanam, Ramanathapuram.
3 The Diwan, Ramanathapuram Samasthanam, Ramanathapuram.
... Respondents in W.P(MD)Nos.23321 to 23324 of 2025 1/7
Prayer in W.P(MD)Nos.23321 to 23324 of 2025: Writ Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records pertaining the impugned suspension in Na.Ka.No.A5/892/2019 dated 30.06.2022 passed by the 2nd respondent and quash the same and consequently to direct the 2nd and 3rd respondents to reinstate in service with all consequential benefits for the petitioner of Arulmigu varaki Amman Temple situated at Uthirakosamangai Ramanathapuram District within the stipulated times as fixed by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.R.Murugaboopathy For Respondents : Mr.S.Vinoth Govt. Advocate (for R1) Mr.O.R.Gokul Abimanyu for M/s Arulvadivel Associates (for R2 and R3) Writ Petition(MD)No.23519 of 2025 Mareeswaran (Subbaiah) ..Petitioner Vs.
1 The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District. 2/7
2 The Hereditary Trustee, Hereditary Trustee Ramanathapuram Samasthanam Devasthanam, Ramanathapuram.
3 The Diwan, Ramanathapuram Samasthanam, Ramanathapuram.
4 Mangaleshwaran ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records pertaining to the impugned suspension in Na.Ka.No.A5/892/2019 dated 30.06.2022 passed by the 2nd respondent and consequentially 4th respondent's appointment order in Na.Ka.No.A5/892/2019 dated 07.07.2022 and quash the same and consequently to direct the 2nd and 3rd respondents to reinstate in service with all consequential benefits for the petitioner as Poosari of Arulmigu Varaki Amman Temple situated at Uthirakosamangai Ramanathapuram District.
For Petitioner : Mr.R.Murugaboopathy For Respondents : Mr.S.Vinoth Govt. Advocate (for R1) Mr.O.R.Gokul Abimanyu for M/s Arulvadivel Associates (for R2 and R3) 3/7
COMMON ORDER Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side.
2. By this common order, these writ petitions are being disposed of.
3. In these writ petitions, the petitioners have challenged the order dated 30.06.2022 suspending them from functioning as Poojaries of Arulmigu Varaki Amman Temple, situated at Uthirakosamangai, Ramanathapuram District.
4. The reason for suspension is the alleged theft of jewels and idols from the temple, valued at approximately Rs.8,000/-.
5. It appears that the impugned orders of suspension were passed by the second respondent/Executive Officer of the said temple. Along with the petitioners, 14 other Poojaries were also suspended, and they continue to remain under suspension. Pursuant to the information gathered regarding the missing idols and jewellery, the third respondent lodged a complaint which was registered as FIR in Crime No.50 of 2022 dated 22.05.2022 before the Uthirakosamangai 4/7
Police Station, Ramanathapuram District, for the offence under Section 381 IPC. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioners that the investigation is still pending and no charge sheet has been filed till date.
6. It is noticed that the petitioners have submitted representations on 09.08.2025 requesting the first respondent to recall the suspension order dated 30.06.2022 passed by the second respondent. Since the petitioners, along with 14 others, were suspended by the aforesaid order, the second respondent has also appointed one Mangaleshwaran as Poojari. The petitioners' representation dated 09.08.2025 before the first respondent has already been taken into consideration, and the matter is listed for enquiry on 01.09.2025.
7. Since the petitioners were suspended only temporarily, they cannot be kept under suspension indefinitely, especially when they are dependent on the plate collection in the temple for their livelihood. Therefore, these writ petitions are disposed of with a direction to the first respondent to pass appropriate orders on the petitioners' appeal/representation dated 09.08.2025 in respect of the suspension order passed by the second respondent on 30.06.2022, within a 5/7
period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
28.08.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet:Yes skn To 1 The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District. 2 The Hereditary Trustee, Hereditary Trustee Ramanathapuram Samasthanam Devasthanam, Ramanathapuram.
3 The Diwan, Ramanathapuram Samasthanam, Ramanathapuram.
6/7
C.SARAVANAN, J.
skn Writ Petition(MD)Nos.23321 to 23324 & 23519 of 2025 and W.M.P(MD)Nos.18326, 18335, 18327, 18328, 18353, 18478 & 18480 of 2025 28.08.2025 7/7