Arun v. The District Collector,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 10.09.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and W.M.P(MD)No.19257 of 2025 1.Arun 2.Sundararajan 3.Suresh Kannan ... Petitioners Vs.

1.The District Collector, Madurai District, 2.The Sub Divisional Magistrate cum Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Officer, Madurai District, 3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment, Ellis Nagar, 1/5

4.The Tahsildar, Vadipatti Taluk Office, Vadipatti, Madurai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Cholavanthan Police Station, ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the respondents 1 to 3 from continuing their proceedings against the temple, namely, Arulmigu Sri Durgai Amman Temple in Mettu Neerathan, Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai District as per the letter dated 02.09.2025 issued by the second respondent in Na.Ka.No.3679748/C/2025. For Petitioners : Mr.S.Vellaichamy For Respondents : Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader for R.1 to R.4 Mr.A.Albert James Government Advocate (Criminal Side) for R.5

ORDER

Heard both sides.

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2.The prayer in the writ petition cannot be granted as such. It is not in dispute that the petition mentioned temple is a public temple. Therefore, HR&CE department is entitled to have a supervisory control over the same. However, it is not open to the revenue authorities or any other authority or Police to keep the temple closed. This Court vide order dated 30.07.2024 in W.P(MD)No.17824 (G.Pandi Vs The District Collector & Others) had held that a temple cannot be kept under lock and key of the department. If the petitioner temple is already kept under such lock and key, it shall be opened to allow worship by members of the general public.

3.With the aforesaid directions to the respondents, this writ petition is disposed of.

No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

10.09.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No MGA Note: Issue order copy on 10.09.2025.

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To 1.The District Collector, Madurai District, 2.The Sub Divisional Magistrate cum Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Officer, Madurai District, 3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment, Ellis Nagar, 4.The Tahsildar, Vadipatti Taluk Office, Vadipatti, Madurai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Cholavanthan Police Station, 4/5

G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

MGA 10.09.2025 5/5