Venkatesh Sowrirajan v. the Union Territory of Puducherry
Case brief
What is this about?
Temple festival orchestra restricted to devotional songs only within temple precincts; prohibition of cinema/movie songs and non-religious events inside Shri Veezhi Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Tirumalairayan pattinam, Puducherry; appointment of temple trustees cannot be delayed indefinitely; Puducherry Hindu Religious Institution Act, 1972; Article 226 writ of mandamus; Union Territory of Puducherry Hindu Religious Institutions Department; disposed at admission stage; no costs; connected W.M.P.No.6843 of 2025 closed.
What did the court decide?
Writ petition disposed of at admission stage on directions: (i) during temple festivals, orchestras arranged by temple authorities or devotees within the temple precincts must render only devotional songs and not non-devotional songs; (ii) authorities to take steps to appoint trustees for the temple as expeditiously as possible in the manner known to law. No order as to costs; connected Miscellaneous Petition (W.M.P.No.6843 of 2025) closed.