S.Gurumurthy v. the Commissioner
Case brief
What is this about?
Private temple / private religious institution claim against HR&CE control; onus on claimant to obtain civil Court decree before authorities stand relieved; until declaration, HR&CE justified in appointing trustees. Writ of Mandamus under Article 226 to consider representation dated 19.09.2025 declined; petition disposed, liberty kept open for civil suit for declaration, no costs. Court: High Court of Judicature at Madras; Bench: D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.; Case: W.P.No.47915 of 2025; Decided: 09.12.2025; Petitioner: S.Gurumurthy; Counsel: Ms.R.Angalaparameswari (petitioner), Mr.S.Ravichandran Additional Government Pleader (R1 to R3). Keywords: private temple, private religious institution, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, trustees appointment, civil Court declaration, Writ of Mandamus, Article 226.
What did the court decide?
No mandamus issued; the petitioner's liberty to approach the competent Civil Court with appropriate relief for a declaration was kept open, and the petition was disposed of without costs.