Madras High Court
WP(MD)/29835/2026 of Ramkumar Adityan B Vs The Additional Chief Secreta on 27 October 2026
WP(MD) No. 29835 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 27-10-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN
AND
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN
WP(MD) No. 29835 of 2026
CNR:{HCMD011481692026}
Ramkumar Adityan B
No.563, Tiruchendur Road,
Virapandianpattinam,
Tiruchendur Taluk - 628 216,
Thoothukudi District.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Additional Chief Secretary
Tourism, Culture And Religious Endowments Department, Government Of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
2. The Commissioner
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.119. Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034.
..Respondent(s)
PRAYER: Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of MANDAMUS, directing the Respondents 1 and 2 to upload the Application of the Applicants for appointment of Trustees with annexure, Reason for Selection of the Trustees, the Order of the appointment of Trustees in the website of the 2nd Respondent and concerned Temples and consequently direct the Respondents 1 and 2 to calculate the Appeal period starts from the date of
WP(MD) No. 29835 of 2026
uploading the Order of the appointment of Trustees in the website as requested in the Representations dated 18.12.2025, 15.06.2026 and 26.09.2026.
For Petitioner(s):
Mr.Sankar. S
For Respondent(s):
Mr.J.Barathan,
Addl. Advocate General
Asst. By Mr.K.K.Udayakumar,
Govt. Advocate
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ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by P.Velmurugan J.) This Writ Petition has been filed as a Public Interest Litigation seeking a direction to the respondents 1 and 2 to upload the applications submitted by the applicants for appointment as non- hereditary trustees, along with the annexures thereto, the reasons for selection and the orders of appointment, on the official website of the second respondent and the websites of the respective temples. The petitioner has also sought a consequential direction to calculate the period of limitation for filing appeals from the date of uploading the appointment orders, pursuant to the representations dated 18.12.2025, 15.06.2026 and 26.09.2026.
2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the respondents have failed to maintain transparency in the
WP(MD) No. 29835 of 2026 appointment of non-hereditary trustees to temples under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. He would further submit that, despite the representations submitted by the petitioner, the applications of the candidates, the reasons for their selection and the orders of appointment have not been uploaded on the official website. Hence, the petitioner seeks appropriate directions to ensure that the aforesaid particulars are made available in the public domain.
3. The learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the respondents would submit that there are no specific Rules mandating the uploading of the particulars sought for by the petitioner.
4. This Court has considered the submissions made on either side and perused the materials available on record.
5. Having regard to the nature of the grievance raised by the petitioner and the submission made by the learned Additional Advocate General regarding the absence of specific Rules, this Court is of the view that the issue requires consideration by the Government, particularly in
WP(MD) No. 29835 of 2026 the interest of transparency and accountability in the appointment of non- hereditary trustees to temples.
6. Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the claims made by the petitioner, the respondents are directed to consider the representations of the petitioner dated 18.12.2025, 15.06.2026 and 26.09.2026 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law. The Government is also requested to consider the necessity of incorporating suitable provisions in the relevant Rules to provide for the publication of the applications, the reasons for selection and the orders of appointment of non-hereditary trustees, subject to the applicable law.
7. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. (P.V.,J.) (K.K.R.K.,J.) 27-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No VSM
WP(MD) No. 29835 of 2026 To
1. The Additional Chief Secretary Tourism, Culture And Religious Endowments Department, Government Of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.Chennai
2. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department No.119. Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034.
WP(MD) No. 29835 of 2026 P.VELMURUGAN, J. AND K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN, J. VSM WP(MD) No. 29835 of 2026 27-10-2026