W.P.No.3978 of 2025 and W.M.P.No.4427 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 06.02.2025 CORAM : THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY W.P.No.3978 of 2025 and W.M.P.No.4427 of 2025 G.Rama Rao .. Petitioner Vs. 1.The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department Tiruvannamalai. 2.K.Yuvaraj .. Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to allow the petitioner to resume and continue to perform all the poojas and other customary / traditional rituals in A/m. Aalady Vazhiamman temple situated at Moonjurpattu Village, Cheyyar Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District. For the Petitioner : Mr.G.Hariharan For the Respondents : Mr.K.Karthikeyan Government Advocate for R1 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.3978 of 2025 and W.M.P.No.4427 of 2025 ORDER The prayer made in this Writ Petition is to direct the 1st respondent to allow the petitioner to resume and continue to perform all the poojas and other customary traditional rituals in Arulmigu Aalady Vazhiamman temple situated at Moonjurpattu Village, Cheyyar Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District. 2. It is the grievance of the petitioner that he is the only hereditary trustee and he has already filed an application to recognise himself as the hereditary trustee and the same is pending. Pending the same, a different poojari has now been appointed, and therefore, the petitioner's rights are being scuttled. 3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the 1st respondent and perused the material records of the case. Page 2 of 5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.3978 of 2025 and W.M.P.No.4427 of 2025 4. On perusal of records, this Court is of the view that instead of granting the relief with reference to the appointment of poojari, the petitioner has to first establish himself to be the hereditary trustee. If the petitioner is recognised as a hereditary trustee then automatically, he will be entitled to appoint his own poojari and this exercise will be subject to the ultimate result in the application filed by the petitioner to recognise himself as the hereditary trustee. Merely because, a poojari is now appointed will not in any manner come in the way of the rights of the petitioner with reference to the claim and also administering and appointment of poojari of the temple. If the petitioner succeeds in his claim, then automatically, he will be entitled to appoint poojari in the manner known to law. It is stated that the application is sent through post on 27.11.2024 and the same has been received by the 1st respondent - The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, Tiruvannamalai, on 18.12.2024. 5. In view thereof, this Writ Petition is disposed of on the following terms, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.3978 of 2025 and W.M.P.No.4427 of 2025 (i) The 1st respondent - Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, Tiruvannamalai, is directed to take the Original Application No.1 of 2025 filed by the petitioner which is received by them on 18.12.2024 on file and deal with the same in accordance with law and pass final orders thereon, in any event not later than a period of four months from the date of receipt/production of the website uploaded copy of this order, without waiting for a certified copy. (ii) No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 06.02.2025 Neutral Citation : No Jer To The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department Tiruvannamalai. Page 4 of 5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.3978 of 2025 and W.M.P.No.4427 of 2025 D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J. Jer W.P.No.3978 of 2025 and W.M.P.No.4427 of 2025 06.02.2025 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis