W.P.No.5711 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Dated: 20.02.2025 CORAM : THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY W.P.No.5711 of 2025 Kothandaraman. ... Petitioner /versus/ 1. The District Collector, Chengalpet District. 2. The Tahsildar, Thiruporur Taluk, Chengalpet District. 3. The Director, Government Museum, Panthen Road Egmore, Chennai. 4. K.Dhanasekaran, Karpaga Vinayagar Kovil Street, Dhakshnavarthy Manambathi, Thiruporur Taluk, Chengalpattu District ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 3rd respondent to handover the idols namely, Sivalinga Idol, Perumal Idol, Amman Idol, Anchaneyar Idol, Nanthi Idol https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.5711 of 2025 which were removed on 20.07.2022 from Dhachinavarthi village, Thiruporur Taluk, Chengalpet to the petitioner herein based on the representation dated 21.03.2023. For Petitioner : Ms.R.Poornima For Respondents : Dr.S.Suriya Additional Government Pleader RR1 to 3 O R D E R The writ petition is filed for a mandamus directing the 3rd respondent to handover the idols, namely, Sivalinga Idol, Perumal Idol, Amman Idol, Anchaneyar Idol, Nanthi Idol which were removed on 20.07.2022 from Dhachinavarthi village, Thiruporur Taluk, Chengalpet to the petitioner herein based on the representation dated 21.03.2023. 2. Upon a temple being found as an encroachment in water body, the encroachment was removed and the idols as such in the temple was brought by the respondents for safe custody. It is contended by the petitioner that he had only originally put up the temple. He had ordered and purchased these idols from various places. Now, after the encroachment is removed, he has put up the Temple https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.5711 of 2025 in his own patta land and therefore, he is seeking return of the idols. 3. When the matter came up for hearing, Dr.S.Suriya, Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing on behalf the respondents 1 to 3 would submit that the Archaeology Department has to examine whether the idols were the ones that are procured and purchased recently or whether they have some Archaeological value. Let that procedure be complied with and let the concerned officials of the Department/Experts examine those idols and if it is found that it is only procured by the petitioner, then same can be returned to him so as to enable him to keep in the new construction that is now said to be put up by him in the private land. 4. In view thereof, this Writ Petition is disposed of. Let the above exercise of examining the issue and the request of the petitioner be completed within a period of 12 weeks from the date of receipt of web copy of the order without waiting for the certified copy of the order. There shall be no order as to costs. 20.02.2025 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.5711 of 2025 Neutral Citation : No. bsm To, 1. The District Collector, Chengalpet District 2. The Tahsildar, Thiruporur Taluk, Chengalpet District 3. The Director, Government Museum, Panthen Road Egmore, Chennai 4. The Government Pleader, High Court, Madras. Page 4 of 5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.5711 of 2025 D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY , J. bsm W.P.No.5711 of 2025 20.02.2025 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis