conclusion that the presence of shops and stocking of combustible and inflammable materials led to the fire accident. Due to the fire, the monument of the Veeravasantharayar Mandapam destroyed. Whatever may be the restoration, it cannot regain its original glory. Thereafter, realzing the potential disaster of the other shops, steps taken to remove all the shops. In the meanwhile, due to Covid 19 pandemic, the temple and shops were closed for some time. Thereafter, they were allowed to continue their business. In the meanwhile, the Executive Officer of the temple, after detailed study to restore the glory of the temple, to maintain the grandeur of the temple and to create the religious atmosphere inside the temple, took steps under Section 80 of the Act and the Joint Commissioner, after issuance of notice, conducted enquiry and passed orders to evict the petitioners. In the meanwhile, they have filed appeals before the Apex Court in Civil Nos. 3461 to 3505 of 2019. The Apex Court by an order dated 08.05.2019 had held that there is no bar for eviction after issuing notice to protect the archaelogial importance of the temple as a whole and after following all the rules as mandated as per Section 80 of the HR and CE Act. In this case, the procedure has been properly followed and thereafter only, the Joint Commissioner had ordered eviction. Aggrieved against the same, the petitioners along with others have approached the Commissioner in AP Nos. 84 to 124 of 2021. The Commissioner, after considering all the facts, passed a detailed order confirming the order of eviction passed by the Joint Commissioner. Thereafter, the Assistant Commissioner took steps to evict the shops on 19.06.2022. Though the petitioners claimed that they have filed revisions under Section 114 of the Act before the HR and CE Department, within time. Yet to be numbered, but they are confident that they are having good chance to succeed in the revision it cannot be countenanced since the filing of the revisions cannot be a reason to holdup or stop eviction. Be that as it may, the petitioners have now come forward with the plea that they may be permitted to sell pooja articles till the Aani Month festival upto 15.07.2022 and by then, they shall vacate the shops on their own. Further, they shall also withdraw the revisions which are filed before the Secretary to the Government, HR and CE Department and shall not raise any objection, file any case with regard to the eviction in future in any manner. The only apprehension is that the Madurai Corporation has to allot shops to them shortly by then, so that, the petitioners can continue their business and they can earn for their livelihood.
