Madras High Court
WP(MD)/31986/2026 of Nagappan L Vs The Joint Commissioner on 11 November 2026
WP(MD) No. 31986 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 11-11-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SENTHILKUMAR
RAMAMOORTHY
WP(MD) No. 31986 of 2026
CNR:{HCMD011588712026}
AND
WMP(MD) No. 24611 of 2026
L.Nagappan
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Joint Commissioner
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Sivagangai District
2. The Inspector
Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowment Department, Arulmigu Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, Boomari Amman Kovil, Thiruppathur, Sivagangai District
3. AR.Ramasamy
Trustee Of Arulmigu Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, Pillayarpatti, Pillayarpatti Post, Sivagangai District
4. Kannan
Trustee of Arulmigu Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, Pillayarpatti, Pillayarpatti Post, Sivagangai District
WP(MD) No. 31986 of 2026
5. Ramanathan
..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 respondent to implement the order dated 08.09.2026 in proceedings Na.Ka.No.2317/2026/Aa1, which was passed as per O.A. No.74/1978 on the file of the Deputy Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Madurai, by selecting or electing one of the Trustee of the 3rd and 4th respondents temple for the year 2026-2027, record the selected or elected Trustees name in the 3rd and 4th respondents Temple under Section 54(1) of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Act, by considering the petitioner’s representation dated 15.10.2026.
For Petitioner(s)
:Mr.A.N.Ramanathan
For Respondent(s)
:Mr.M.S.Parthiban
Government Advocate (Civil)
for R1 & R2
Mr.S.Madhavan for R3 & R4
Mr.R.M.Arun Swaminathan for R5
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ORDER
The matter relates to Arulmigu Karpaga Vinayagar Temple at Pillaiyarpatti. Asserting that the petitioner belongs to the Amaravathipudur RM.VE family, which is entitled to act as Trustee in the current financial year, the petitioner has approached this Court for implementation of the order dated 08.09.2026.
WP(MD) No. 31986 of 2026
2. Mr.M.S.Parthiban, learned Government Advocate (Civil), accepts notice for respondents 1 and 2. Mr.S.Madhavan, learned counsel, accepts notice for respondents 3 and 4. Mr.V.M.Arun Swaminathan, learned counsel, accepts notice for the fifth respondent.
3. Learned counsel for the fifth respondent submits that the petitioner belongs to the Vaiyanagaram family and does not belong to the Amaravathipudur RM.VE family. This contention is refuted by the petitioner by submitting that the petitioner also falls within Amaravathipudur RM.VE family.
4. Learned counsel for respondents 3 and 4 points out that the General Body Meeting was held on 15.09.2026 and that a resolution was passed.
5. Learned Government Advocate (Civil) for respondents 1 and 2 submits that this Writ Petition is premature and that no application has been received till date for recognition of a hereditary trustee under Section 54 of the TNHR&CE Act, 1959.
6. In view of the above submission that no application has been
WP(MD) No. 31986 of 2026 received as on date, it is open to the petitioner to raise objection if an application were to be filed by the incumbent trustees or by any other person under Section 54 of the TNHR&CE Act, 1959. The incumbent trustees/respondents 3 and 4 shall file such application within one (1) week from today. If such application were to be received, the first respondent is directed to provide a reasonable opportunity to the petitioner before a decision is taken. Said decision shall be made within a maximum period of thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of such application.
7. With these directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of without any order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 11-11-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No apd To
1. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department Sivagangai District
2. The Inspector Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowment Department Arulmigu Karpaga Vinayagar Temple Boomari Amman Kovil Thiruppathur Sivagangai District
WP(MD) No. 31986 of 2026 SENTHILKUMAR RAMAMOORTHY, J. apd WP(MD) No. 31986 of 2026 AND WMP(MD) No. 24611 of 2026 11-11-2026