Umesh K v. The Joint Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 18.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.(MD)No.36259 of 2025 and W.M.P.(MD)No.28863 & 28864 of 2025 K.Umesh ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Trichy.

2. The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Trichy.

3. The Inspector, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Mannachanallur, Trichy.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records pertaining to the impugned order in Na. Ka.No.215/2025 dated 10.12.2025 passed by the 3rd respondent and to quash the same as illegal, arbitrary and consequently to direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to complete the pending restoration works of Arulmigu Sridevi Sri boomidevi sametha Sri Varatharaja Perumal Temple, located in Mela Sridevimangalam, Mannachanallur, Trichy.

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For Petitioner : Mr.S.Ramanathan For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani Special Government Pleader

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed challenging the impugned order dated 10.12.2025 passed by the third respondent, whereby the renovation works of Arulmigu Sridevi Sri Boomidevi Sametha Sri Varatharaja Perumal Temple, (hereinafter referred to as 'subject Temple') situated at Mela Sridevimangalam, Mannachanallur, Trichy, were stopped on the ground that the said works were carried out without obtaining prior permission and also seeking a direction to the respondents to permit the petitioner to complete the pending restoration works of the subject temple.

2. By consent of both parties, this writ petition is disposed at the stage of admission itself.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the villagers had joined together, collected funds, and commenced the 2/6

renovation works. However, the third respondent passed the impugned order directing the stoppage of the said renovation works.

4. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that the subject temple is under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) Department, and that under the guise of renovation works, several persons had started collecting money and, therefore, the impugned order came to be passed.

5. In reply, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the money collected by the villagers was deposited in the temple account and that no amount was collected in excess or over and above the same.

6. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that, under these circumstances, in order to monitor the same, a District Level Monitoring Committee has also been constituted. If any representation is submitted before the first respondent seeking permission for the renovation works, the first respondent would forward the same to the District Level Monitoring Committee, which 3/6

would decide upon the grant of permission for the renovation works. Only upon such permission being granted, the petitioner can proceed with the said renovation works, strictly in accordance with the directions issued by the Committee.

7. As rightly pointed out by the learned Special Government Pleader, since the subject temple is under the control of the HR&CE department, the authorities are duty-bound to monitor the affairs of the said temple. The persons interested in undertaking the renovation works shall submit appropriate applications before the competent authority, and thereafter, the authorities shall consider the same and decide upon the grant of permission for carrying out the renovation works.

8. In the present case, admittedly, no such application was made and hence, the petitioner is directed to make an application before the competent authority, who shall, in turn consider the same and decide on merits and in accordance with law.

9. Since the work has already been commenced without obtaining prior permission and it would not be proper to keep the matter pending 4/6

for a prolonged period, the competent authority is directed to decide the issue and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of the petitioner's application.

10. With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

18.12.2025 Index : Yes/No sm TO:-

1. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Trichy.

2. The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Trichy.

3. The Inspector, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Mannachanallur, Trichy.

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KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J.

sm W.P.(MD)No.36259 of 2025 18.12.2025 6/6