WP No. 31330 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 06-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY WP No. 31330 of 2026 AND WMP NO. 34426 OF 2026 Senthil Kumar S/o. Annamalai, No.1/147 South Street, Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, Kallakurichi District. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai-600 034 2. The Joint Commissioner HR and CE Department, Villupuram/Kallakurichi District. 3. The Inspector HR and CE Department, Thirukoilur, Kallakurichi District. 4. The Executive Officer /Fit Person, Sri Mannar Swamy Samedha Pachaiyaman Temple, Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, Kallakurichi District. 5. E. Kuppusamy, S/o. Elumalai, Main road, Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, Kallakurichi District. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 31330 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 6 6. A. Arun Kumar S/o. Iyappan, South Street, Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, Kallakurichi District. 7. S. Rajakumari W/o. Silambarasan, Main road, Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, Kallakurichi District. 8. T. Ramki S/o. Tamilanban, South Street, Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, Kallakurichi District. 9. S. Bharathi S/o. Selvaraj, Mariamman Koil Street, Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, Kallakurichi District. 10.N. Satheesh Kumar S/o. Nehru, Mariamman Koil Street, Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, Kallakurichi District. 11.R. Purushothaman S/o. Rajarajan, Middle Street, Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, Kallakurichi District. 12.P. Ganesan, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 31330 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 6 S/o. Perumal, Ambedkar Colony, Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, Kallakurichi District. 13.Sivaraj S/o. Poongan, Ambedkar Colony, Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, Kallakurichi District. ..Respondent(s) Prayer: writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of writ of Mandamus directing the Respondents 1 to 4 to conduct the annual Aadi Theemithi Festival of Sri Mannar Swamy Samedha pachaiyamman Temple, Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, Kallakurichi District, strictly under the direct administration and supervision of the HR and CE Department and forbearing any individuals or unauthorized committees claiming allegiance to political parties or political groups from forming festival committees, collecting funds, or hijacking the conduct of the temple festival, and pass For Petitioner(s): Mr.S. Kingston jerold For Respondent(s): Mr.V.Chandraprabu, Special Government pleader (HR and CE) for R1 to R4 Order This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to respondents 1 to 4 to conduct the annual Aadi Theemithi Festival of Sri Mannar Swamy Samedha Pachaiyamman Temple, situated at Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 31330 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 6 Kallakurichi District, strictly under the direct administration and supervision of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Department. 2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the annual Aadi Theemithi Festival has historically been conducted peacefully by the temple priest and the general public of the village under the active supervision and guidance of the HR & CE Department. The upcoming festival is scheduled to be celebrated on 14.08.2026. While so, respondents 5 to 13, without any legal authority, are attempting to unilaterally form a committee to conduct the upcoming festival under their own supervision. Aggrieved by this unauthorized interference, the petitioner submitted a formal representation to the official respondents on 08.07.2026. Since the said representation was not acted upon, the petitioner has approached this Court. 3. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Special Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the official respondents submitted that since the tenure of the previous committee has already expired, the temple is currently under the direct management and control of the HR & CE Department. He further submitted that the upcoming festival will be conducted exclusively under the direct administration of the HR & CE Department, and therefore, the question of any unauthorized third parties managing or interfering with the festival affairs does not arise. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 31330 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 6 4. The aforesaid submission made by the learned Special Government Pleader is recorded. In view of the statement that the HR & CE officials are already taking necessary steps to conduct the festival under their direct management, the grievance of the petitioner stands redressed, and no further orders are required in this Writ Petition. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 06-08-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No SK Note: Issue order copy on 10.08.2026 To 1. The commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai-600 034 2. The Joint Commissioner HR and CE Department, Villupuram/Kallakurichi District. 3. The Inspector HR and CE Department, Thirukoilur, Kallakurichi District. 4. The Executive Officer /Fit Person, Sri Mannar Swamy Samedha Pachaiyaman Temple, Melathazhanur Village, Thirukoilur Taluk, Kallakurichi District. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 31330 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 6 KRISHNAN RAMASAMY J. sk WP No. 31330 of 2026 AND WMP NO. 34426 OF 2026 06-08-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis