G.Ramachandran v. The Joint Commissioner Of Hindu Religious And
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.10.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and W.M.P(MD)Nos.20408 & 20608 of 2025 G.Ramachandran ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Joint Commissioner of Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, Office of the Joint Commissionerate, No.H-306, TNHB Colony, Ellis Nagar, Madurai - 625 016.
2.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, Office of the Assistant Commissionerate, No.18, Nachi Street, Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar District.
3.The Executive Officer, Arulmighu Venkatachalapathi Thirukkovil, Sattur - 626 203, Sattur Taluk, Virudhunagar District.
... Respondents 1/5
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 records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the third respondent herein vide No. Nil dated 14.03.2025 and 14.07.2025 and quash the same as illegal and consequently directing the respondents to revise the rent of the Site situated in T.S.No.51 Perumalkovil Street, South Mada Street, Sattur Town and Taluk, Virudhunagar District by strictly adhering to the procedures contemplated under Section 34-A of the Tamilnadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1957. For Petitioner : Mr.C.Gangai Amaran For Respondents : Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader for R.1 & R.2 Mr.P.Mahendran for R.3
ORDER
Heard both sides.
2.The writ petitioner is in occupation of the petition mentioned premises which belongs to the third respondent temple. The third respondent had called upon the petitioner to pay the rental arrears which are to the tune of Rs.3,00,000/- (Rupees Three Lakhs only). The petitioner had been sternly warned that if the petitioner fails to remit the 2/5
arrear amount, action will be taken to evict him under Section 78 of the HR&CE Act.
3.The impugned communication cannot be faulted. Admittedly, any person who is in occupation of the temple premises is bound to pay the rent. I made it clear to the petitioner that unless bona fides are shown, the writ petition will suffer dismissal. 4.Today, when the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned counsel for the petitioner produced a Demand Draft in favour of the third respondent to the tune of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only). The learned counsel for the temple is directed to accept the said Demand Draft. The petitioner has further undertaken that the balance amount of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lakhs only) will be remitted within a period of ten (10) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. If the petitioner clears the entire arrear and also continues to pay monthly rent of Rs.2871/- (Rupees Two Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy One only), the third respondent temple can consider regularising the relationship with the writ petitioner.
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5.With the aforesaid observation and direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
17.10.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No MGA To 1.The Joint Commissioner of Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, Office of the Joint Commissionerate, No.H-306, TNHB Colony, Ellis Nagar, Madurai - 625 016.
2.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, Office of the Assistant Commissionerate, No.18, Nachi Street, Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar District.
3.The Executive Officer, Arulmighu Venkatachalapathi Thirukkovil, Sattur - 626 203, Sattur Taluk, Virudhunagar District.
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G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.
MGA 17.10.2025 5/5