Madras High Court
WP(MD)/30124/2026 of K.Manikandan Vs The Commissioner on 16 October 2026
WP(MD) No. 30124 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 16-10-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR
RAMAMOORTHY
WP(MD) No. 30124 of 2026
and
WMP (MD) Nos.23000 and 23002 of 2026
CNR:{HCMD011510212026}
1. K.Manikandan
2. K.Krishnamurthy
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Commissioner,
Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowments Department Chennai.
2. The Assistant Commissioner
Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowments Department Virudhunagar.
3. The Executive Officer
Arulimigu Vaigundamoorthy Ayyanar Thirukovil Sundarapandiapuram Village Vathirayirrupu Taluk Virudunagar District.
4. The Thasildar
Vathirayirrupu Taluk
Virudunagar District.
..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 1st
WP(MD) No. 30124 of 2026
and 2nd respondents to ensure the 3rd respondent from interfering with or obstructing the petitioners customary and lawful pooja rights, including the performance of poojas, religious rituals, ceremonies and other customary religious services at Arulmigu Vaigundamoorthy Ayyanar Thirukovil, situated at Sundarapandiyapuram Village, Srivilliputhur Taluk, Virudhunagar District, and pass such further or other orders as this honourable court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the above case and thus render justice.
For Petitioner(s):
M/s V.R.Shanmuganathan
For Respondent(s):
Mr.R.Parthiban, SGP
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ORDER
Apprehending that the performance of poojas by the petitioners would be interfered with by the respondents, the present writ petition has been instituted.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners were held to be hereditary trustees of the temple and that they have been performing poojas. He also submits that there is a dispute with regard to lands in three survey numbers.
3. Accepting notice on behalf of all the respondents, Mr.R.Parthiban, learned Special Government Pleader, submits that the petitioners were suspended as trustees and that due process would be
WP(MD) No. 30124 of 2026 followed if it is intended to interfere with the petitioners' functions as pujaris. He adds that the petitioners should not prevent other pujaris from performing poojas. The submission regarding the petitioners' suspension is refuted by the learned counsel for the petitioners.
4. Considering the above submissions, this writ petition is disposed of on the following terms:
(i) The petitioners' functions as pujaris shall not be interfered with without putting the petitioners on notice and providing them with a reasonable opportunity.
(ii) The petitioners shall not interfere with the performance of poojas by other pujaris.
5. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 16-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No PKN
WP(MD) No. 30124 of 2026 To
1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowments Department Chennai.
2. The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowments Department Virudhunagar.
3. The Executive Officer Arulimigu Vaigundamoorthy Ayyanar Thirukovil Sundarapandiapuram Village Vathirayirrupu Taluk Virudunagar District.
4. The Thasildar Vathirayirrupu Taluk Virudunagar District.
WP(MD) No. 30124 of 2026 SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J. PKN WP(MD) No. 30124 of 2026 16-10-2026