W.P.(MD) No.20190 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.20190 of 2026 L.Nagappan ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Sivagangai District. 2.The Inspector, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Arulmigukarpagavinayagar Temple, Boomari Amman Kovil, Thiruppathur, Sivagangai District. 3.Arulmigu Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, Represented by its Trustees, Pillayarpatti, Pillayarpatti Post, Sivagangai District. ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to conclude the enquiry proceedings in Na.Ka.No.2317/2026/Aa1 dated 03.06.2026 pending on the file of the first respondent for permitting the petitioner from participating in the meetings of Arulmigu Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, Pillayarpatti, as per the Scheme in O.A.No.74/1978 on the file of the Deputy Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable _____________ Page No. 1 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD) No.20190 of 2026 Endowments Department, Madurai, within time frame as may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.AN.Ramanathan For R1 and R2 : Ms.P.Sudarkodi Natchiyar Government Standing Counsel For R3 : Mr.S.Mahdavan Standing Counsel For Intervenor : Mr.RM.Arun Swaminathan ORDER The petitioner is before this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent to conclude the enquiry proceedings in Na.Ka.No.2317/2026/Aa1, dated 03.06.2026, pending on the file of the first respondent, for permitting the petitioner to participate in the meetings of Arulmigu Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, Pillayarpatti, in accordance with the Scheme Decree passed in O.A. No.74 of 1978 on the file of the Deputy Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Madurai, within such time as may be fixed by this Court. 2. It is submitted that the third respondent Temple is governed by a Scheme Decree passed in O.A.No.74 of 1978 under Section 64 of the _____________ Page No. 2 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD) No.20190 of 2026 Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959, on 01.11.1978. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that, under the Scheme Decree, two members from different families of the twelve Villages are to be appointed on a rotational basis and that the third respondent has orally prevented the petitioner's family from participating in the meetings, including those relating to the appointment of Hereditary Trustees. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would further submit that, in this regard, the petitioner submitted a representation before the first respondent, who initiated an enquiry but has not concluded the same. 4. The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the official respondents would submit that the proceedings are still pending before the first respondent and that a hearing was held even today. It is further submitted that the enquiry initiated by the first respondent in proceedings bearing Reference No.Na.Ka.No.2317/2026/Aa1, dated 03.06.2026, will be completed within a period of three weeks. _____________ Page No. 3 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD) No.20190 of 2026 5. At this stage, Mr.RM.Arun Swaminathan, learned counsel, seeks permission to intervene and submits that he represents the interests of AN.Veerappan, son of R.M.VE.RM.AN.VE.RM. Annamalai, who claims to have been elected by the concerned family, subject to approval by the General Body. It is submitted that any decision to be taken by the third respondent should be made only after affording an opportunity of hearing to the said AN.Veerappan. 6. The submission made by Mr.RM.Arun Swaminathan, learned counsel, appears to be fair and reasonable. 7. Recording the submissions made by the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the official respondents and the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of AN.Veerappan, this Court is inclined to direct the first respondent to complete the enquiry proceedings as expeditiously as possible, preferably, within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 8. Needless to state, all persons who are likely to be affected by the decision to be taken by the first respondent shall be afforded an _____________ Page No. 4 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD) No.20190 of 2026 opportunity of hearing before final orders are passed. All the parties shall extend their full cooperation to the first respondent for the expeditious completion of the enquiry. 9. Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. NCC : Yes / No 20.07.2026 smn2 To 1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Sivagangai District. 2.The Inspector, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Arulmigukarpagavinayagar Temple, Boomari Amman Kovil, Thiruppathur, Sivagangai District. _____________ Page No. 5 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD) No.20190 of 2026 C.SARAVANAN , J. smn2 W.P.(MD) No.20190 of 2026 20.07.2026 _____________ Page No. 6 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis