WP No. 12660 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 01-04-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI WP No. 12660 of 2026 S.Murugan S/o Sambanatham, No 63, Appal Pather Street, Panruti, Cuddalore District 607 106 ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Chennai 600 034 2. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Cuddalore 607 001 Cuddalore District 3. The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Cuddalore 607 001 Cuddalore District 4. The Exeuctive officer Somanatha Swamy Thirukoil, panruti Town, panruti 607 106 Cuddalore District ..Respondent(s) Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 3rd and 4th respondent to get https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 12660 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 5 back all the Temple lands and use them for Temple purpose and appoint more than tow Archagars and also to appoint othuvar, as per the communication of the 2nd Respondent in Na.Ka. No. 8640/ 2025/ A2, dated 30.09.2025 For Petitioner(s): Mr.P.Kannan Kumar For Respondent(s): Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan, SGP [HR & CE] ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents 3 & 4 to get back all the temple lands and use them for temple purpose and appoint more than two Archagars and also to appoint an Othuvar, as per the communication of the second respondent in Na.Ka. No. 8640/ 2025/ A2, dated 30.09.2025. 2. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side. With the consent of both sides, the Writ Petition is taken up for hearing at the admission stage itself. 3. It is the case of the petitioner that he is a devotee of the Somantha Swamy, the lord of Somanatha Swamy Thirukoil which is located at Panruti. He made representations dated 24.03.2025 and 21.09.2025 to the fourth respondent and to all the respondents herein respectively for restoration of the temple lands and to utilize the same for temple purposes and also for appointment of more than two Archagars and an Othuvar as per the https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 12660 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 5 communication of the second respondent dated 30.09.2025 in the said temple, however, the same was not considered by the respondents and hence, the present Writ Petition. 4. 4. In view of the limited prayer sought for by the petitioner in this Writ Petition, there shall be a direction to the second respondent to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 21.09.2025 and to pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 5. With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. 01-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No DP https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 12660 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 5 To 1. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Chennai 600 034 2. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Cuddalore 607 001 Cuddalore District 3. The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Cuddalore 607 001 Cuddalore District 4. The Exeuctive officer Somanatha Swamy Thirukoil, panruti Town, panruti 607 106 Cuddalore District https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 12660 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 5 M.DHANDAPANI, J. DP WP No. 12660 of 2026 01-04-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis