W.P.(MD) No.20440 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 20.07.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W.P.(MD)No.20440 of 2026 and W.M.P.(MD)No.15140 of 2026 Ramamoorthy ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Ramanathapuram. 2.The Inspector, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Muthukulathur, Ramanathapuram District. ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to ensure and extend their full cooperation to the temple administration by the petitioner as its nonhereditary trustee, for the ongoing renovation and Kumbhabisekam works of Arulmighu Thirukaaludaya Ayyanar Thirukoil, Kovilangulam, Kamudhi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District, till they are successfully completed and done. For Petitioner : Mr.VR.Shanmuganathan For Respondents : Mr.R.Parthiban Government Standing Counsel _____________ Page No. 1 of 5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD) No.20440 of 2026 ORDER The petitioner apprehends that the officials of the H.R. & C.E. Department may interfere with the renovation works being carried out at Arulmighu Thirukaaludaya Ayyanar Thirukoil, Kovilangulam, Kamudhi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District. According to the petitioner, in view of the change in the Government in the State, there is a likelihood of interference with the day-to-day administration of the Temple, particularly when renovation works are in progress. 2. The records reveal that the petitioner was appointed as a non- hereditary Trustee under Section 47 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 (hereinafter referred to as "the H.R. & C.E. Act") by the first respondent / Assistant Commissioner on 17.04.2025. The petitioner's tenure is to expire on 16.04.2027. 3. It appears that an attempt was made to frame a scheme in O.A. No.61 of 2024 with a view to remove the petitioner from the office of non-hereditary Trustee of the aforesaid Temple. However, by order dated 20.04.2026, the said application filed under Section 64 of the H.R. & C.E. Act was dismissed by the Joint Commissioner, Sivagangai. _____________ Page No. 2 of 5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD) No.20440 of 2026 4. The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents has produced a copy of the communication received from the first respondent, bearing Reference No.Na.Ka.No.1689/2024/A7, dated 20.07.2026, wherein the first respondent has categorically stated that there is presently no proposal either to appoint a Fit Person or to appoint another Trustee in place of the petitioner. The relevant portion of the said communication reads as follows:- ''Nkw;gb jpUf;Nfhapypy; Kjd;ik rd;djpahd mUs;kpF jpUf;fhYila ma;adhu; rd;djp> ,ju rd;djpfshd gj;ufhspak;kd; rd;djp> jtrp rpj;ju; rd;djp Mfpa rd;djpfis &.21>50>000/- (&gha; ,Ugj;jpnjhU ,yl;rj;J Ik;gjhapuj;J kl;Lk;) kjpg;gPl;by; cgajhuu; epjpapd; %yk; jpUg;gzp nra;ag;gl;L tUfpwJ. Nkw;gb jpUf;NfhapYf;Fg; Gjpajhf jf;fhu; epakdk; nra;aNth my;yJ Gjpa mwq;fhtyu; epakdk; nra;aNth jw;NghJ ve;jtpjkhd eltbf;ifAk; Nkw;nfhs;sg;gltpy;iy. vdNt> Nkw;gb upl; kDit js;Sgb nra;a gzpe;J Nfl;Lf;nfhs;sg;gLfpwJ.'' 5. In view of the above, no further orders are required to be passed in this Writ Petition. Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands closed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is also closed. NCC : Yes / No 20.07.2026 smn2 _____________ Page No. 3 of 5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD) No.20440 of 2026 To 1.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Ramanathapuram. 2.The Inspector, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Muthukulathur, Ramanathapuram District. _____________ Page No. 4 of 5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD) No.20440 of 2026 C.SARAVANAN , J. smn2 W.P.(MD) No.20440 of 2026 20.07.2026 _____________ Page No. 5 of 5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis