Madras High Court
WP(MD)/28673/2026 of Kovil Sri Vedavyasa L.Sentha Vs The Principal Secretary to G on 6 October 2026
WP(MD) No. 28673 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 06-10-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY
WP(MD) No. 28673 of 2026
and
W.M.P.(MD) Nos.21742 & 21746 of 2026
CNR:{HCMD011308292026}
Kovil Sri Vedavyasa L.Senthamarai Kannan Battar Swamigal
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Principal Secretary to Government Tourism, Culture and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (RE 4-2) Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.
3. The Assistant Commissioner
No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.
4. The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer Arulmigu Aranganatha Swamy Thirukoil, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli - 620 006.
..Respondent(s)
PRAYER: Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Certiorari calling for the records pertaining to impugned letter of the 1st Respondent in No.512/RE 4-2/2026 - 1 dated 20.05.2026 and the impugned communication of the 3rd Respondent in MooMu.No.34455/2022/U1 dated 18.07.2022 and quash the same.
WP(MD) No. 28673 of 2026
For Petitioner(s):
S.Ramsundarvijayraj
for M/s.Veera Associates
For Respondent(s):
Mr.R.Parthiban
Special Government Pleader for R1 to R3
Mr.M.Saravanan for R4
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ORDER
Asserting rights in relation to Srirangam Arulmigu Aranganatha Swamy Temple, the petitioner made a request for the recognition of such rights. Under order dated 08.06.2018, the petitioner's request was declined. The petitioner approached the Commissioner's office in relation thereto. By order dated 18.07.2022, the said request was rejected by an order of the Additional Commissioner. The petitioner lodged an appeal against the said order before the Government. The appeal was rejected on the ground that such appeal does not lie under Section 22(5) of the TN HR&CE Act, 1959. These two orders are impugned in this Writ Petition.
2. Mr.R.Parthiban, learned Special Government Pleader, accepts notice for respondents 1 to 3. Mr. M.Saravanan, learned counsel, accepts notice for the fourth respondent.
3. Learned counsel for the fourth respondent submits that the petitioner
WP(MD) No. 28673 of 2026 should have raised a grievance under Section 63(e) of the TN HR&CE Act, 1959, before the Joint Commissioner, challenging the decision taken on 08.06.2018. Instead of adopting a course of action in consonance with the statute, he submits that the petitioner requested for clarification and that the Additional Commissioner merely communicated that the petitioner's request for rights and honours was rejected earlier under order dated 08.06.2018.
4. On perusal of the affidavit and order dated 08.06.2018, it is clear that the petitioner is seeking rights and honours in relation to the temple. The appropriate course of action is for the petitioner to approach the Joint Commissioner/Deputy Commissioner under Section 63 of the statute. By granting leave to the petitioner to do so within two (2) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this Writ Petition is disposed of.
5. It is needless to say that the application under Section 63 of the statute shall be decided uninfluenced by the two orders impugned herein. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 06-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No apd
WP(MD) No. 28673 of 2026 To
1. The Principal Secretary to Government Tourism, Culture and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (RE 4-2) Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.
3. The Assistant Commissioner No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.
4. The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer Arulmigu Aranganatha Swamy Thirukoil, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli - 620 006.
WP(MD) No. 28673 of 2026 SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J. apd WP(MD) No. 28673 of 2026 06-10-2026