Dispute over control of two temples in Thoothukudi District. The writ court had directed the Tahsildar to remove locks; the writ appeal was disposed by directing the Executive Officer of Shenbagavalli Amman Temple to take charge of both temples pending resolution by the competent authority.
This page shows the compact analysis of this judgement. The full analysis — procedural history, issue-by-issue holdings with ratio and obiter, advocates, and paragraph-level evidence for every claim — is being added to the record in batches and will appear here when this judgement has been through it.
W.A.(MD) No.1311 of 2024
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED : 06.08.2024
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SUBRAMANIAN and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI
W.A.(MD) No.1311 of 2024 and C.M.P.(MD) No.10217 of 2024
M.Karthikeyan ` ... Appellant
-vs-
1.K.Pandaram 2.The Tahsildar, Kayathar Taluk, Thoothukudi District. ... Respondents
Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent to set aside the order, dated 26.06.2024, passed in W.P.(MD) No.12610 of 2024, on the file of this Court.
For Appellant : Mr.M.Jerin Mathew For R1 : Mr.P.Banuprasath For R2 : Mr.P.T.Thiraviyam Government Advocate
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W.A.(MD) No.1311 of 2024
J U D G M E N T
[Judgment of the Court was made by R.SUBRAMANIAN, J.]
The dispute relates to an attempt to gain control of Shri
Karuppasamy Temple and Shri Kaliamman Temple at Ottudanpatti, Thoothukudi District. It is very sad that such dispute reached the portals of this Court.
2. It is the claim of the appellant / petitioner in the Writ Petition that the second respondent had locked the Temples for nearly four years. The Writ Court has directed the second respondent to remove the lock. It is now aggrieved, the appellant has come up with this Writ Appeal.
3 . It is the contention of the learned counsel for the appellant that the doors of the Temples have been removed by the appellant / petitioner in the Writ Petition in collaboration with the Villagers and a criminal case has also been foisted against him.
4 . No doubt, the jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is not intended for resolving such disputes, as there is a separate mechanism available to determine who should manage the Temple. However, this Court can consider the potential for a breach of public peace and, in order
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W.A.(MD) No.1311 of 2024
to maintain tranquility, can step in under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, as has been done by the learned Single Judge.
5 . From the rival contentions raised before us, we find that the
dispute has become more intense and both the parties are at loggerheads. Hence, we direct the Executive Officer of Shenbagavalli Amman Temple, Kovilpatti, Tuticorin District, to take charge of the Temples and maintain the same, till such time, the dispute as to who should manage the Temples is resolved by the competent authority or the competent Court. The Executive Officer of Shenbagavalli Amman Temple, Kovilpatti, Tuticorin District, will take charge of the Temples within a period of three weeks from today and file a report before this Court.
6 . This Writ Petition stands disposed of with the above
observation. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.
7 . List the case on 27.08.2024 , '' for reporting compliance ''
NCC : No [R.S.M., J.] [L.V.G., J.] Index : No 06.08.2024 Internet : Yes smn2
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W.A.(MD) No.1311 of 2024
Copy to:-
The Executive Officer, Sri Shenbagavalli Amman Temple, Kovilpatti, Tuticorin District.
To:-
The Tahsildar, Kayathar Taluk, Thoothukudi District.
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W.A.(MD) No.1311 of 2024
R.SUBRAMANIAN, J. and L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.
smn2
W.A.(MD) No.1311 of 2024 and C.M.P.(MD) No.10217 of 2024
06.08.2024
Page 5 of 5
2 issues framed by the court
Who should manage the Shri Karuppasamy and Shri Kaliamman Temples amid an escalating dispute?
Can the court under Article 226 intervene to maintain public peace over temple control?
1 provisions across 1 enactments
M.Karthikeyan
K.Pandaram
The Tahsildar, Kayathar Taluk, Thoothukudi District
R.Subramanian
L.Victoria Gowri
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
