W.P No.37325 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 06.10.2025 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P No.37325 of 2025 S.Soundarajan ...Petitioner Vs 1.The Secretary to Government Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George Chennai-600 009. 2.The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Uthamar Gandhi Salai Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034. 3.The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Old Kagitha Pattarai Chathuvachari, Vellore-632 012 4.The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Old Kagitha Pattarai Chathuvachari, Vellore-632 012 5.The Executive Officer/Fit Person/Trustees https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P No.37325 of 2025 Arulmigu Kugeshwarar Swamy Temple Arulmigu Varagiamman Temple and Arulmigu Pachai Vanna Perumal Temple 44, Pallur Village, Arakkonam Taluk Ranipet District-631 052. ...Respondents PRAYER: This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 herein to take necessary action based on the letter dated 24.07.2025 and 25.07.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Chandrasekaran For Respondents : Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan Special Government Pleader O R D E R This writ petition has been filed seeking a writ of mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 herein to take necessary action based on the letter dated 24.07.2025 and 25.07.2025. 2. The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner is a member of Pallur Village Public Welfare Committee and he is also a worshipper of Arulmigu Pachai Vanna Perumal Temple. The Government allotted a total sum of Rs.95.50 lakhs + 28.00 lakhs for renovation and compound wall construction work of Arulmigu Pachai Vanna Perumal Temple, Arulmigu Thiripurasundari Sameda Kugeswara Swamy Temple and Arulmigu Varahi Amman Temple. Page 2 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P No.37325 of 2025 However, instead of utilising these funds for the intended purpose, the respondents have completely demolished the Pachai Vanna Perumal Temple more than a year ago. At present, the site remains vacant and no construction or restoration work was commenced and not even basic patching of bricks. It is reliably learnt that the Trustee Committee, the Executive Officer and the Joint Commissioner have collectively misappropriated government-allotted funds and stolen the temple properties. The respondents are thereby cheating the public of Pallur Village. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Department is allegedly acting hand in glove with anti-social elements. However, there is no progress for recovering the valuables. Challenging the same, the present writ petition is filed with the above said prayer. 3.The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents would submit that Arulmigu Pachai Vanna Perumal Temple is administered by the trustees. However, the said temple is an ancient temple and it is in dilapidated condition. For the purpose of renovation and samprochanam, the Government had allotted Rs.1,40,00,000/- and palalayam was performed on 12.06.2024. In the meanwhile, after palalayam, the entire valuables and idols of the Arulmigu Pachai Vanna Perumal Temple are kept in the strong room at Arulmigu Kugeshwarar Swamy Temple by taking inventories. If at all, the https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P No.37325 of 2025 petitioner has any grievance, he can very well visit the office of the Executive Officer of the said temple for perusing all the idols and valuables which are very much available in the strong room of Arulmigu Kugeshwarar Swamy Temple. Hence, the prayer sought for in the present writ petition is misconceived. Accordingly, he prayed for appropriate direction. 4. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials on record. 5. A perusal of records reveals that Arulmigu Pachai Vanna Perumal Temple is under renovation and hence, palalayam was performed. Subsequently, the idols and valuables are kept in the strong room of the Arulmigu Kugeshwarar Swamy Temple, by the Executive Officer. If at all the petitioner has any grievance to verify the same, he can very well visit the office of the Executive Officer of Arulmigu Kugeshwarar Swamy Temple along with an application to verify the inventories. If such an application is filed by the petitioner, the Executive Officer is required to permit the petitioner to verify the inventories. 6. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Page 4 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P No.37325 of 2025 06.10.2025 Index : Yes/No Neutral citation : Yes/No Speaking/non-speaking order uma To 1.The Secretary to Government Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George Chennai-600 009. 2.The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Uthamar Gandhi Salai Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034. 3.The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Old Kagitha Pattarai Chathuvachari, Vellore-632 012 4.The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Old Kagitha Pattarai Chathuvachari, Vellore-632 012 M.DHANDAPANI, J. uma https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P No.37325 of 2025 5.The Executive Officer/Fit Person/Trustees Arulmigu Kugeshwarar Swamy Temple Arulmigu Varagiamman Temple and Arulmigu Pachai Vanna Perumal Temple 44, Pallur Village, Arakkonam Taluk Ranipet District-631 052. W.P No.37325 of 2025 06.10.2025 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis