Cont.P.No.2699 of 2022 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 07.08.2026 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN Cont.P.No.2699 of 2022 S.Srikumar Block D1, Srinivasa Enclave, No.2, Thangal Street, Virugambakkam, Chennai - 600 092. .. Petitioner Vs. 1. J.Kumaragurbaran The Commissioner, The Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments Department, 119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 34. 2. M.Kalimuthu Superintending Archeologist, Archaelogical Survey of India, Chennai Circle, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009. 3. Govind Mohan Ministry of Culture, Room No.501, C Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi - 110155. __________ https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Cont.P.No.2699 of 2022 4. Rajasekar Arulmigu Adi Narayana Perumal Thirukovil, Represented by its Fit Person Pazhaverkadu - 601204, Thiruvallur District. .. Contemnors Prayer : Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, seeking to punish respondents for wilfully and deliberately disobeying the directions and the order dated 24.08.2021 in W.P.No.28733 of 2014. For Petitioner : M/s.Rohini Ravikumar For Contemnors : Mr.P.V.Balasubramaniam Additional Advocate General Assisted by Mr.V.Chandraprabhu Spl. Govt. Pleader (HR&CE) for R1 & R4 ORDER (Order of the Court was made by G.Arul Murugan,J) This contempt petition has been filed alleging disobedience of the order dated 24.08.2021 passed in W.P.No.28733 of 2014. 2. Petitioner filed writ petition alleging that Adi Narayana Perumal & Samaya Eswarar Temple at Pazhaverkadu is not __________ https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Cont.P.No.2699 of 2022 maintained properly and as per the news published, it is going to be demolished. Petitioner expressed apprehension that if the ancient temple is demolished or any work is done without following the directions passed by the Court in Suo motu W.P.No.574 of 2025, the ancient temple would get damaged and therefore, the renovation of the temple has to be strictly done with the approval of the Archaeological Survey of India to preserve the heritage structure. 3. This Court, by order dated 24.08.2021, taking note of the fact that already the entire issue in respect of carrying out renovation work of the ancient temple is covered by the directions issued in suo motu W.P.No.574 of 2015, had disposed of the writ petition directing the authorities to comply with the directions issued in the suo motu writ petition in respect of the said temple also without undue delay. 4. Pursuant to the orders passed in the writ petition, the authorities had undertaken the work of renovating the temple and have also obtained necessary permission from the State Level __________ https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Cont.P.No.2699 of 2022 Expert Committee (SLEC) constituted by this Court and after the permission was obtained, tender was called for on 31.07.2023. 5. At this juncture, petitioner had come up with the present contempt petition alleging that even though the order was passed in the writ petition, authorities have not taken any effort to renovate the ancient temple and to comply with the directions passed in the suo motu writ petition. 6. Learned Additional Advocate General submits that in fact, after the order was passed, necessary approvals were obtained from SLEC, tender notification was issued on 31.07.2023 and after re-opening of tender, the successful bidder was given work order. Even though the tenderer had started the work, in the midst, he sought escalation of price on the ground that the price quoted will not be sufficient to complete the entire renovation work, in view of the works that are required for completing restoration of the ancient temple. Since the State was not agreeable for such escalation, issue was going on for some time. __________ https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Cont.P.No.2699 of 2022 7. Now, learned Additional Advocate General submits that many donors have come forward to contribute for the completion of renovation works and pursuant to the discussions already held, the contractor has now proceeded with the renovation work. Learned Additional Advocate General undertakes that the entire renovation work of the temple would be completed within a period of 12 months from today and after completion of the entire renovation work, kumbabhishegam will be conducted. 8. Recording the submission of learned Additional Advocate General and considering the fact that renovation of the temple work is undertaken pursuant to the permission granted by SELC, we are inclined to close the contempt petition. It is open to petitioner to re- open the contempt in case the renovation work is not completed. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI,CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 07.08.2026 kpl __________ https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Cont.P.No.2699 of 2022 THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN,J. (kpl) Cont.P.No.2699 of 2022 07.08.2026 __________ https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis