WP/20665/2026 of D. Sureshbabu Vs The principal Secretary to Government on 27 October 2026

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by G.Arul Murugan, J.) This writ petition, styled as public interest litigation, is filed to direct the respondents to take appropriate action to shift the Natarajar murtis and other murtis to the temples where it belongs and also to perform daily pooja/rituals, naivedyam and abishegam.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the grievances raised by the petitioner have already been redressed, in view of the detailed counter-affidavit filed by the Commissioner, HR & CE Department. He points out to paragraph 47(f) and (i) of the counter-affidavit. For ease of reference, paragraph 47(f) and (i) of the counter-affidavit are extracted hereunder: “(f) The Department has also ensured that religious practices are not interrupted merely because the Idols are preserved in the Protection Centres. Poojas and other religious rituals are performed in accordance with the established customs and usages prevailing in the respective temples. Daily poojas are conducted in the Torivotriyur Metal Idol Protection Centre in accordance with the Karana Kamika Agama, while poojas are conducted periodically in other Protectiion Centres such as Tiruttani, Kancheepuram and Tiruvarur, depending upon the established practice followed therein. In certain Centres, dedicated Archakas have been appointed, whereas in other Centres, poojas are performed by the priests attached to the respective temples.

(i) As on 24.09.2026, Strong Room construction covers

1,881 temples across 25 Regions in Tamil Nadu. Among 1900 works, 1,782 words have been completed. Remaining 118 works are under progress. The remaining works are being expedited through close monitoring and field-level intervention. On completion and approval by the Commissioner, idols presently kept in Metal Idol Protection Centres will be shifted back to the respective temples as per prescribed safety procedures. Strong Rooms with adequate security and surveillance facilities have been constructed within temple premises for the safe preservation of valuable metal Idols. Such Strong Rooms have been provided with grill enclosures enabling devotees to have darshan of the Idols and daily poojas are also being performed therein. Administrative and Technical sanction has already been accorded for construction of Strong Rooms in 1,881 temples across the State. Upon completion of such Strong Rooms with the prescribed security infrastructure and after obtaining the approval of the Commissioner, the Idols belonging to the respective temples and presently preserved in the Metal Idol Protection Centres are being, and will continue to be, shifted back to the concerned temples by following the prescribed safety procedures.”

3. In view of the fact that the grievances raised by the petitioner stand redressed, we dispose of the writ petition. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)

27.10.2026 Index : Yes/No Neutral Citation : Yes/No bbr To:

1. The principal Secretary to Government Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai

2. The Commissioner O/o. The Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai.

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN,

J.

bbr W.P.No.20665 of 2026

27.10.2026