B.Kandan v. The Commissioner

ORDER (Order of the Court was delivered by DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.) This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a writ of mandamus to direct the respondents to ensure that devotees of all categories are permitted to have hassle-free and free-of-cost darshan of the deity near the sanctum, without any discrimination.

¶2The allegation of the writ petitioner is that by collecting Rs.10/- from devotees, the management is showing discrimination, and only those who pay Rs.10/- are permitted to go near the deity and have darshan.

¶3Mr.J.Ashok, learned Additional Government Pleader, submitted that the representation of the petitioner has been taken up for enquiry and that a show cause notice has been issued to the Dharmakarthas of the temple to explain the complaint received against them.

¶4The learned counsel appearing for the Temple Authority submitted that, in order to manage the crowd during the festival period, certain restrictions are imposed. Otherwise, there is no restriction or discrimination among devotees. He further submitted that, on days other than festival days, the temple receives very few visitors and there is no necessity for the management to discriminate among devotees.

¶5In view of the submissions made and the action proposed to be taken by the HR & CE Department, we are of the view that there is no necessity to proceed further with this writ petition, except to record the action taken by the HR & CE Department on the complaint received. We hope that the matter will reach its logical conclusion in accordance with law.

¶6With this observation, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. Consequently, the connected Writ Miscellaneous Petition is closed. [G.J., J.] & [K.K.R.K., J.]

24.02.2026

Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes mkn To

1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE), No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600034.

2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE), Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

3.The Manager, Sivagangai Samasthanam Devasthanam, Palace Campus, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

4.The Executive Officer / Manager, Arulmigu Kannudaya Nayagi Amman (Kaanathal) Temple, Nattarasan Kottai, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District. W.P.(MD)No.4675oofo2026 oDRo.oG.oJAYACHANDRANoo,oJo. AND K.K.oRAMAKRISHNAN,oJ. mkn W.P.(MD)No.4675oofo2026 and W.M.P.(MD)No.3918oofo2026

24.02.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 24.02.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G. JAYACHANDRAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN and W.M.P.(MD)No.3918 of 2026 B.Kandan ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE), No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600034. 2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE), Sivagangai, Sivagangai District. 3.The Manager, Sivagangai Samasthanam Devasthanam, Palace Campus, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District. 4.The Executive Officer / Manager, Arulmigu Kannudaya Nayagi Amman (Kaanathal) Temple, Nattarasan Kottai, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District. ... Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India seeking to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to ensure that devotees visiting Arulmigu Kannudaya Nayagi Amman (Kannathal) Temple, Nattarasan Kottai, Sivagangai District, are permitted to have darshan (Dharisanam) of the presiding deity near the sanctum without discrimination between those paying "special darshan" fee and those opting for free/general darshan, and consequently to forbear the respondents from enforcing any practice that restricts proximity darshan only upon payment of special fee. For Petitioner : Mr.N.Sudhagar Nagaraj For R1 & R2 : Mr.J.Ashok, Additional Government Pleader For R3 : Mr.M.Karthikeya Venkitachalapathy