Arulmigu Sri Kannika Parameswari Amman Temple v. The Assistant Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 24.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MS.JUSTICE P.T.ASHA W.P.(MD).No.33424 of 2025 Arulmigu Sri Kannika Parameswari Amman Temple, represented By its Managing Trustee, Chandrasekaran, S/o Ramasamy, Door No.14/11, Thevaram, Theni District ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Assistant Commissioner, TamilNadu Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department, Theni

2. The Tahsildhar, Uthamapalayam Taluk, Theni District.

3. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Thevaram, Theni 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 3rd respondent to provide electricity service connection for doing cultivation 1/6

works in the property comprised in S.No.942/2 to an extent of 0.81.00 hectares, Thevaram Village, Uthamapalayam Taluk, Theni District belonging to Arulmighu Kannika Parameshwari Amman Temple, Thevaram, Theni District on the basis of petitioner s application dated 26/3/2024.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.G.Shankar Ganesh For Respondents : Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader

ORDER

The above writ petition has been filed for the following relief:- " Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 3rd respondent to provide electricity service connection for doing cultivation works in the property comprised in S.No.942/2 to an extent of 0.81.00 hectares, Thevaram Village, Uthamapalayam Taluk, Theni District belonging to Arulmighu Kannika Parameshwari Amman Temple, Thevaram, Theni District on the basis of petitioner s application dated 26/3/2024."

2. Mr.P.Subbaraj, learned Special Government Pleader takes notice on behalf of the respondents.

3. By consent of both the parties, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself. 2/6

4. The brief facts of the case as set out in the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition are as follows:-

5. The petitioner temple had earlier filed a suit in O.S.No.190 of 1997, on the file of the Subordinate Court, Dindigul, seeking to declare the petitioner temple as a 'Denominational Temple'. By a judgment and decree dated 30.06.1980, the learned trial Judge had decreed the suit in favour of the petitioner.

6. The property comprised in S.No.642/3, 910/3, 942/B, 942/2 belongs to the petitioner temple, and the patta to the said property also stands in the name of the petitioner temple. Since the petitioner temple is a 'Denominational Temple', the management of the said temple cannot be questioned by the authorities concerned.

7. While so, the petitioner made an application before the 3rd respondent, seeking a free electricity service connection to the subject property. The 3rd respondent had directed the petitioner to produce patta 3/6

in respect of the subject property. Pursuant to the same, the petitioner had obtained an online patta, however, in the online patta, it has been marked as "Blocked".

8. In this connection, the petitioner sent a representation to the 2nd respondent on 09.12.2024. However, the same has not been considered, and hence, the petitioner filed W.P.(MD)No.7199 of 2025 before this Court. By an order dated 18.03.2025, this Court allowed the writ petition, directing the 2nd respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 09.12.2024, on merits and in accordance with law, and pass final orders regarding the entry "Blocked" within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

9. Since the order dated 18.03.2025 has not been complied with, the petitioner sent a representation to the respondent on 25.03.2025. However, the same has not been considered. Aggrieved by this, the petitioner has filed contempt proceedings in Cont.P.(MD).No.1846 of 2025, and the same is pending before this Court. By reason of these proceedings the request for grant of service connection is hanging in balance. Therefore, the petitioner has plead this writ seeking a mandamus. 4/6

10. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that the application submitted by the petitioner dated 26.03.2024 will be considered and orders will be passed within the time stipulated by this Court.

11. In view of the same, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, the 3rd respondent is directed to consider the application of the petitioner dated 26.03.2024 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

12. The writ petition stands disposed of with the above observations. No costs.

24.11.2025 NCC :yes/No Index :yes/No Internet:yes/No rgm 5/6

P.T.ASHA, J.

rgm To

1. The Assistant Commissioner, TamilNadu Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department, Theni

2. The Tahsildhar, Uthamapalayam Taluk, Theni District.

3. The Assistant Executive Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Thevaram, Theni District.

W.P.(MD).No.33424 of 2025 24.11.2025 6/6