W.P(MD)No.29631 of 2025 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 22.10.2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P(MD)No.29631 of 2025 and W.M.P.(MD)No.22922 of 2025 Karivalamvanthanallur Pillaimaarkal Pothu Mahamai Sangam, Represented by its Secretary, P.Murugan, S/o.Paulvannampillai, (Registration No.3/2013), No.5/1, Ponnammal Street, Karivalamvanthanallur, Sankarankovil Taluk, Tenkasi District. ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Assistant Commissioner / Executive Officer, Arulmigu Sankaranarayana Swamy Thirukovil, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District. 2.V.Kumar ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the 1st respondent from proceeding further pursuant to the impugned notice 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.29631 of 2025 dated 08.10.2025 in Na.Ka.No.3249/2025/E4, pending disposal of the competent civil suit. For Petitioner : Mrs.S.Mahalakshmi For Respondents : Mr.S.Manohar for R1 Mr.A.Satheesh Murugan for R2 ORDER Heard both sides. 2.The question that arises for consideration is who should perform the 4th day Kandasashti Mandagapadi in respect of first respondent temple. It is not in dispute that Karivalamvanthanallur Pillaimaarkal Pothu Mahamai Sangam is the mandagapaditharar. It is a society registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975. It appears that there are two factions in the society. As a result, for the last several years, the Mandagapadi is not being performed by the society. The first respondent herein had issued the impugned notice calling upon Murugan to appear before her and produce all the relevant materials 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.29631 of 2025 along with his supporters. The petitioner questions the legality and propriety of such a communication. 3.In my view, the first respondent had adopted the right approach. As already mentioned, it is a registered society which is the mandagapaditharar. Therefore, the person whose name figures in the Form VII as the Secretary of the society alone can represent the society. The society is said to consist of 82 members. The first respondent probably wanted to satisfy herself that the majority is on the side of Thiru.Murugan. In my view, this show of strength can be avoided. If Thiru.Murugan produces Form VII that is in force and he figures as Secretary therein, he can be permitted to conduct mandagapadi on behalf of the society. If Thiru.Kumar, the contestant produces any material to show that such Form VII is not in force or it has been suspended, then neither of them can perform mandagapadi and it is the temple which will carryout the mandagapadi. Thiru.Murugan as well as Thiru.Kumar will appear before the first respondent on 23.10.2025 at 04.00. Based on Form VII, the first respondent will decide the issue. 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.29631 of 2025 4.This writ petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 22.10.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No ias Issue order copy on 22.10.2025 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.29631 of 2025 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.29631 of 2025 G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J. ias W.P(MD)No.29631 of 2025 22.10.2025 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis