L.Palaniyappan v. The Joint Commissioner,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 16.12.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.(MD)Nos.35945 to 35950 of 2025 and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.28557, 28577, 28560, 28563, 28558 and 28566 of 2025 L.Palaniyappan ... Petitioner in W.P.(MD)No.35945/2025 S.Vijayalakshmi ... Petitioner in W.P.(MD)No.35946/2025 N.Sekar ... Petitioner in W.P.(MD)No.35947/2025 S.Rajeswari ... Petitioner in W.P.(MD)No.35948/2025 N.Pandi ... Petitioner in W.P.(MD)No.35949/2025 G.Kannan ... Petitioner in W.P.(MD)No.35950/2025 Vs 1/6
1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Madurai, Madurai District.
2.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Jenagai Mariyamman Temple, Sholavandan, Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai District.
... Respondents in all W.Ps.
Prayer in W.P.(MD)Nos.35945, 35947, 35948, 35949 and 35950 of 2025: Writ Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari calling for the records relating to the impugned order passed by the 2nd respondent vide his unnumbered notice dated 27.10.2025 and consequential unnumbered notice dated 24.11.2025 passed by the same respondent and to quash the same as illegal and arbitrary.
Prayer in W.P.(MD)No.35946 of 2025: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorari calling for the records relating to the impugned order passed by the 2nd respondent vide his unnumbered notice dated 24.11.2025 and to quash the same as illegal and arbitrary.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Ramanathan (In all W.Ps.) For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani, (In all W.Ps) Spl. Govt. Pleader for R1 2/6
COMMON ORDER These Writ Petitions are filed challenging the impugned orders passed by the 2nd respondent dated 24.11.2025, wherein, the petitioners were directed to pay rent and vacate the shop from the temple premises on or before 09.12.2025.
2. By consent, these Writ Petitions are taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself. Since no adverse order is going to be passed as against the 2nd respondent, notice to them is dispensed with.
3. According to the petitioners, they are the lawful tenants in the 2nd respondent temple premises and they are running their respective shops for the last 4 decades peacefully. However, the 2nd respondent, without providing an opportunity of hearing, has passed the impugned orders, directing the petitioners to pay the rent and vacate the shop on or before 09.12.2025 from the temple premises. Challenging the same, the petitioners have filed these Writ Petitions.
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4. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the first respondent would submit that the impugned notices are only show cause notices. Therefore, the petitioners can very well submit their replies to the above said show cause notices. After receiving the reply, appropriate orders will be passed in accordance with law.
5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is of the view that since the impugned notices are only show cause notices, the petitioners are directed to file their replies to the above said show cause notices. If the replies are not convincing, thereafter, the 2nd respondent shall take necessary action in accordance with Section 80 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959.
6. With the above observations, these Writ Petitions are disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 16.12.2025 vsm Index : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No 4/6
To 1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Madurai, Madurai District.
2.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Jenagai Mariyamman Temple, Sholavandan, Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai District.
KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.
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vsm W.P.(MD)Nos.35945 to 35950 of 2025 16.12.2025 6/6