WP No. 8370 of 2022 __________ Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 02-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI WP No. 8370 of 2022 AND WMP NO. 8336 OF 2022 S.Dhandapani ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The District Collector Salem District Salem 2. The commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department No. 119, Uthamar Gandhi Road Thousand Lights west Nugambakkam chennai 600 034 3. The Joint commissioner Kotaimariamman Temple campus, Salem 636 001 4. The Revenue Divisional officer Salem South zone Maiyanur salem 636 010 5. The Tahsildar Salem South Zone Maniyanur Salem 636 010 6. K. Shanmugam S/o. Kumaravel No. 3 / 227 N.S. K. Veethi S. Papparapatty Attyampatti salem 637 501 ..Respondent(s) Directing the 1st and 2nd Respondent to take over the management and affairs of the temples Namely 1. Arulmigu chinna Mariyamman Kovil 2, Arulmigu peryandichi Amman Thirukovil, 3. Arulmigu Muthu Kumarasamy Thirukovil 4. Arulmigu Pavadi Amman Thirukovil 5. Arulmigu Vadaku https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 8370 of 2022 __________ Page2 of 5 Vinayagar Thirukovil 6. Arulmigu Savuni vinayagar Thirukovil 7. Arulmigu Kottarasavadi Eswara Thirukovil by ivoking the provisions Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act 1959 For Petitioner(s): Mr.R.Chandrasudan For Respondent(s): Mr.S.Ravichandran for Additional Government Pleader (HR&CE) for R2 and R3 Mr.A.Arumugam for R6 Ms.V.Yamuna Devi, Special Government Pleader for R1, R4 amd R5 Order The petitioner has filed the above writ petition to direct the respondents to take over the management and affairs of the above said temples. 2. It is a specific case of the petitioner that the temples in question viz., 1.Arulmigu Chinna Mariyamman Kovil, 2. Arulmigu Peryandichi Amman Thirukovil, 3. Arulmigu Muthu Kumarasamy Thirukovil, 4.Arulmigu Pavadi Amman Thirukovil, 5. Arulmigu Vadaku Vinayagar Thirukovil, 6. Arulmigu Savuni Vinayagar Thirukovil, 7. Arulmigu Kottarasavadi Eswaran Thirukovil, is managed by the members of the Sengunthar community and that only the members of the community are entitled to manage the affairs of the temple. At present, 6th respondent is administering the management of the temple. During the period 2014 to 2019, it was found by the petitioner that the 6th respondent had misappropriated the temple funds and therefore, a criminal complaint was https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 8370 of 2022 __________ Page3 of 5 lodged against the 6th respondent for the offence of cheating and misappropriation of funds. Since several disputes arose between the parties, the 2nd respondent emphasised the 3rd respondent to send recommendation to bring the subject matter temples under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. The 4th respondent by way of proceedings dated 11.01.2021, recommended the 5th respondent to conduct enquiry and investigation. Several letters have also been addressed to the 1st respondent to take immediate action to safeguard the interest of the above said temples. Since no action is taken on the letters of the petitioner, he is before this Court. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that it would suffice if a direction is issued to the 3rd respondent to consider the petitioner’s representation / letter dated 23.02.2022 and pass appropriate orders within a stipulated time frame as fixed by this Court. 4. Heard both sides and also perused the materials available on record. 5. This Court, without going into the merits of the case, issues direction to the 3rd respondent to consider the petitioner’s representation / letter dated 23.02.2022, by taking into account the proceedings of the 2nd respondent, dated 10.12.2020 and the proceedings of the 4th respondent dated 11.01.2021, to maintain peace among the community and pass appropriate orders in https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 8370 of 2022 __________ Page4 of 5 accordance with law within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 6. This Writ Petition stands disposed of with the above terms. No costs. Consequently connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 02-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No sk To 1. The District Collector Salem District Salem. 2. The commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department No. 119, Uthamar Gandhi Road Thousand Lights west Nugambakkam chennai 600 034 3. The Joint commissioner Kotaimariamman Temple campus, Salem 636 001 4. The Revenue Divisional officer Salem South zone Maiyanur salem 636 010 5. The Tahsildar Salem South Zone Maniyanur Salem 636 010 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 8370 of 2022 __________ Page5 of 5 M.DHANDAPANI J. sk WP No. 8370 of 2022 AND WMP NO. 8336 OF 2022 02-03-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis