W.P(MD)No.14365 of 2019 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 26.03.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN W.P(MD)No.14365 of 2019 A.Muthirulappan ... Petitioner vs. 1.The Chief Secretary, Secretariat, St. Fort George, Chennai – 9. 2.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034. 3.The District Forest Officer, Madurai, Madurai District. 4.The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai. 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.14365 of 2019 5.The Assistant Commissioner, Madurai District, Madurai. 6.Patchaiappan, The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, Madurai District, Madurai. 7.Sivarama Suriyan, The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Sundaramahalinga Swamy Thirukkovil Cum Santhanamahalinga Swamy Thirukkovil, Saptur, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 5 to reopen and re-permit the Annathana Matams at the Arulmigu Sundaramahalingam Swamy and Santhanamahalingam Swamy Temple in Sathuragiri Hills of Western Ghat Mountain at Saptur, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District and renovate the sanitation facilities and reopened it for devotees and take steps to resettle the Palingar Tribal Community People in their original settlement hamlet nearby the above temple on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 13.06.2019. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.14365 of 2019 For Petitioner : No appearance For Respondents : Mr.J.Ashok (R1 to R5) Additional Government Pleader : Mr.S.Manohar (R7) ORDER (Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking a direction to respondents 1 to 5 to reopen and permit the Annadhana Matams at Arulmigu Sundaramahalingam Swamy and Santhanamahalingam Swamy Temple, situated at Sathuragiri Hills in the Western Ghats, Saptur, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District; to renovate the sanitation facilities and reopen the same for the benefit of devotees; and to take steps to resettle the Paliyar tribal community in their original hamlet situated the aforesaid temple, based on the petitioner’s representation dated 13.06.2019. 2.When the matter is taken up for hearing today, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 5 submitted 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.14365 of 2019 that Annadhana is being carried out only by the temple administration and that no private Matams are permitted to function. 3.Recording the said submission, this Writ Petition is closed. There shall be no order as to costs. [N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 26.03.2026 (2/3) NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.14365 of 2019 To 1.The Chief Secretary, Secretariat, St. Fort George, Chennai – 9. 2.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034. 3.The District Forest Officer, Madurai, Madurai District. 4.The District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai. 5.The Assistant Commissioner, Madurai District, Madurai. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.14365 of 2019 N.SATHISH KUMAR , J. and M.JOTHIRAMAN , J. ps ORDER MADE IN W.P(MD)No.14365 of 2019 DATED : 26.03.2026 (2/3) 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis