2026:MHC:1772 W.P.(MD)No.14276 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.05.2026 CORAM THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY W.P.(MD)Nos.14276, 14326 and 14318 of 2026 and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.10694, 10695, 10753, 10742 and 10744 of 2026 W.P(MD)No.14276 of 2026:- T.Govindhan ... Petitioner vs. 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 34, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai. 2.The Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Ramanathasamy Temple, Rameswaram 623 526, Ramanathapuram District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the public auction notice published on 14.05.2026 by the 2nd respondent herein and quash Serial No. 17 of the above said auction notice as illegal and consequently, to direct the respondents not to auction the shops till the commencement of Master Plan Developmental Works in Kothanda Ramar Temple, Rameswaram. 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.14276 of 2026 W.P(MD)No.14326 of 2026:- A.Meghanatha Pandian ... Petitioner vs. 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 34, Uthamar Ganthi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai. 2.The Joint Commissioner, Arulmigu Ramanathasamy Temple, Rameswaram-623 526, Ramanathapuram District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records pertaining to the public auction notice published on 14.05.2026 by the 2nd respondent herein and quash serial No.17 of the above said auction notice as illegal and consequently direct the respondents not to auction the shops till the commencement of Master Plan Development works in Kothanda Ramar Temple, Rameswaram. W.P(MD)No.14318 of 2026:- S.Balamurugan ... Petitioner vs. 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.14276 of 2026 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 34 Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai. 2.The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer, Arulmigu Ramanathasamy Temple, Rameswaram 623 526, Ramanathapuram District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the public auction notice published on 14.05.2026 by the 2nd respondent herein and quash Serial No. 17 of the above said auction notice as illegal and consequently, to direct the respondents not to auction the shops till the commencement of Master Plan Developmental Works in Kothanda Ramar Temple, Rameswaram. For Petitioner :Mr.P.Subbiah For R1 :Mr.M.Gangatharan Government Advocate For R2 :Mr.S.Ramesh (in all cases) ***** COMMON ORDER The Writ Petitions are filed challenging the auction notice published on 14.05.2026 with reference to Serial No.17, where, the temporary shops at Arulmighu Kothanda Ramar Temple, Rameswaram, is being auctioned. 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.14276 of 2026 2.The grievance of the petitioners is that they are permitted to sell tender coconut in APE auto rickshaws and for the said purpose, the temple has also collected a deposit of Rs.2,10,450/- from each of the petitioner and in one case, ie., in the case of T.Govindhan, two deposits were made. When the petitioners are doing the said business in the auto rickshaws, now a communication was also issued that they will be permitted only till the development works are undertaken and now by the auction notice, the development work is slated to be undertaken and therefore, the petitioners apprehend that after collection of the caution deposit amount, they will be discontinued. 3.When the matter came up for admission, Mr.S.Ramesh, learned Counsel for the Temple, would submit that what is auctioned is for the occupying the proposed temporary shops and that does not mean that the shops will also be the tender coconut shops. In any event, the petitioners can continue in selling the tender coconut in the auto rickshaw and their activities will not be interfered. 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.14276 of 2026 4.In view thereof, the petitioners' grievance stands redressed and additionally, it will also be open for the petitioners to participate in the auction also. 5.With the above observations and recording the submissions made, the Writ Petitions stand disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. NCC :Yes / No 20.05.2026 cmr To 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 34, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai. 2.The Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Ramanathasamy Temple, Rameswaram 623 526, Ramanathapuram District. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.14276 of 2026 D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J. cmr W.P.(MD)No.14276 of 2026 20.05.2026 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis