W.P.No.14969 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 25.04.2025 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY W.P.No.14969 of 2025 1. MUNIYAMMAL 2. LAKSHMI ... Petitioner Vs 1. THE COMMISSIONER, HINDU RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT DEPARTMENT, NUNGAMBAKKAM HIGH ROAD, CHENNAI-600 034. 2. THE JOINT COMMISSIONER, HINDU RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT DEPARTMENT, VILLUPURAM DISTRICT. 3. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER / EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ARULMIGHU MELMALAYANUR ANGALAMMAN TEMPLE, MELMALAYANUR, VILLUPURAM. ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to permit the petitioners to perform pooja in the Arulmighu Angalamman Temple for a period of 1.45 hours instead of 1.10 as per the order passed in R.C. No.211012/2023 D2, R.C.No.225456/2024 D2 and R.C. No.236118/ 2024 D2 and to provide their rightful share in the benefits based on the representation of the petitioner dated 19.03.2025. 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.14969 of 2025 For Petitioner : Mr.K.Venkateswaran For R1 to R3 : Mr.K.Karthikeyan, Government Advocate ORDER This writ petition is filed seeking a direction to the respondents to permit the petitioners to perform pooja in the Arulmighu Angalamman Temple for a period of 1 hour and 45 minutes instead of 1 hour and 10 minutes, as per the orders passed in R.C. No.211012/2023 D2 and R.C. No.225456/2024 D2, and R.C.No.236118/2024 D2 and to provide their rightful share in the benefits based on the representation of the petitioner dated 19.03.2025. 2. Upon hearing the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and perusing the affidavit, it is pleaded that the particular temple belongs to a particular caste. The same is not accepted. No caste can claim ownership of any temple. If the temple is a public temple, the poojas have to be performed by all devotees. Be that as it may, the prayer is that the respondents should permit the petitioners to perform pooja for 1 hour and 45 minutes instead of 1 hour and 10 minutes. 3. When the matter came up for admission, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that there is no fixed time limit already 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.14969 of 2025 in place. However, since the petitioners are claiming a customary right, it is for them to move the Joint Commissioner under Section 63 of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959. It is submitted that a representation has already been filed on 04.12.2024 before the Joint Commissioner. 4. In view thereof, this writ petition is disposed of on the following terms:- (i) The petitioners can also make a fresh application under Section 63 of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 regarding any customary rights if any claimed by them, along with a copy of this order and enclosing the earlier representation, within two weeks from the date of receipt of the web copy of the order. (ii) As and when the said application is received, it shall be dealt with in accordance with law by issuing notice to the petitioners and final orders shall be passed within a period of sixteen weeks from the date of filing of the application. No costs. 25.04.2025 1/2 Neutral Citation: Yes/No nsl 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.14969 of 2025 To 1. THE COMMISSIONER, HINDU RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT DEPARTMENT, NUNGAMBAKKAM HIGH ROAD, CHENNAI-600 034. 2. THE JOINT COMMISSIONER, HINDU RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT DEPARTMENT, VILLUPURAM DISTRICT. 3. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER / EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ARULMIGHU MELMALAYANUR ANGALAMMAN TEMPLE, MELMALAYANUR, VILLUPURAM. 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.No.14969 of 2025 D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J. nsl W.P.No.14969 of 2025 25.04.2025 1/2 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis