Govindan v. The Commissioner

ORDER A connected Writ Petition came to be instituted by the fifth respondent in W.P.(MD)No.24434 of 2026, seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 4 not to confer, or permit the conferring of, the disputed "Karaikkon Kattathi Mariyadhai" upon any person during the annual festival of Arulmigu Adhinamilagi Ayyanar Temple, Melappoongudi, Sivagangai District, scheduled to be conducted from 23.08.2026 onwards, until the disposal of A.P.No.28 of 2025 and O.A.No.42 of 2025. Page3 of 5

¶2The said Writ Petition came to be disposed of on 20.08.2026, at the stage of admission, after dispensing with notice to the petitioner herein, who was arrayed as the fourth respondent therein.

¶3In the said order, this Court extracted the order of the second respondent/Joint Commissioner and passed the following order: ''7. Considering the fact that there is no order of stay of the order passed in O.A.No.3 of 2014, dated 18.12.2024, pending before the first respondent/Commissioner in A.P.No.28 of 2025, the second respondent is directed to consider the representation of the fourth respondent dated

10.08.2026 as well as the representation of the petitioner dated

13.08.2026 on or before 22.08.2026, so that, there is no confusion after the commencement of the Temple festival on 23.08.2026. Needless to state, both the petitioner and the fourth respondent shall be heard before final orders are passed.

¶8Since the issue is pending before the first respondent/Commissioner in A.P.No.28 of 2025 under Section 69 of the H.R. & C.E. Act, the first respondent may endeavour to pass final orders in A.P.No.28 of 2025, so that, there is no confusion during the ensuing Temple festival in 2027 and thereafter. The second respondent may also endeavour to dispose of O.A.No.42 of 2025 filed by the petitioner as expeditiously as possible.''

¶4Therefore, no further orders are required to be passed on the subject. Suffice it to state that both the petitioner and the fifth respondent herein shall be heard by the second respondent/Joint Commissioner and appropriate orders shall be passed on or before 22.08.2026 [tomorrow], as the Temple Festival is to be held on 23.08.2026. Page4 of 5

¶5The Writ Petition stands disposed of accordingly. There shall be no order as to costs. 21-08-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order smn2 Note:- Issue order copy on 21.08.2026. To

¶1The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

¶2The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.40, Muthusamy Nagar, Tiruppathur Road, Sivagangai District.

¶3The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, District Collectorate Campus, Sivagangai District.

¶4The Fit Person Arulmigu Adhinamilagi Ayyanar Temple, Melappoongudi, Sivagangai District. Page5 of 5

C.SARAVANAN, J. smn2 21-08-2026

Page1 of 5 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 21-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE C. SARAVANAN Govindan S/o. Adhinamilagi, Namanoor Village, Sivagangai Taluk, Sivagangai District. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034. 2. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.40, Muthusamy Nagar, Tiruppathur Road, Sivagangai District. 3. The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, District Collectorate Campus, Sivagangai District. 4. The Fit Person Arulmigu Adhinamilagi Ayyanar Temple, Melappoongudi, Sivagangai District. 5. A.Athinamilagi @ Sekar S/o. Athinamilagi, 2/243, Thirumalaikoneripatti, Page2 of 5 Sivagangai District, Sivagangai. ..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 4 not to confer or permit the conferring of the disputed Karaikkon Kattathi Mariyadhai upon any person during the annual festival of Arulmigu Adhinamilagi Ayyanar Temple, Melappoongudi, Sivagangai District, scheduled to be conducted from 23.08.2026 onwards, until the disposal of A.P.No.28 of 2025 and O.A.No.42 of 2025 and consequently, pass such further or other orders as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and thus render justice. For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Madhavan for Ms.A.Niveditha For Respondent(s): S.Vashik Ali Additional Government Pleader for R1 to R3 Dr.C.Guhaseela Rupan for R5