C.Muthukumar Vs The Joint Commissioner — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2025)

C.Muthukumar Vs The Joint Commissioner — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Direction to the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 19.07.2025 insofar as it pertains to the construction of the Muga Mandapam and to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within six (6) weeks from receipt of a copy of the order; no costs.

Issue for consideration

Whether the first respondent (Joint Commissioner, HR&CE Dept., Dindigul) should be directed to act on the petitioner's representation dated 19.07.2025 seeking permission to renovate Mariyamman Temple and Bagavathi Amman Temple and to permit construction of a proposed new Muga Mandapam (approximately 653 square feet) for the Bagavathi Amman Temple.

Court's answer

The Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 19.07.2025 insofar as it pertains to the construction of the Muga Mandapam, and to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order; no costs.

Ratio / Principle

Recording the Additional Government Pleader's fair submission, the Court proceeded on the basis that the petitioner's request for permission to construct the Muga Mandapam can be considered by the first respondent; accordingly, the disposal direction is confined to the Muga Mandapam aspect of the representation rather than the renovation permission generally.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ of Mandamus - Article 226 - Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments - temple renovation permission - Madurai Bench of Madras High Court (C.Saravanan, J.), 12.08.2025. Petitioner C.Muthukumar sought a direction to the Joint Commissioner, HR&CE Dept., Dindigul to grant permission to renovate Mariyamman Temple and Bagavathi Amman Temple (Kizhakoattai Village, Chinnalapatti, Dindigul) and to construct a proposed new Muga Mandapam of about 653 square feet for the Bagavathi Amman Temple, acting on his representation dated 19.07.2025. The Additional Government Pleader submitted that the Executive Officer of Vandi Kaliamman Temple, Dindigul had been appointed Fit Person for the subject temples as early as 21.11.2005; that the petitioner had scheduled Palalaya Pooja on 21.08.2025 without the Fit Person's prior permission; and that Kumbabhisekam was last performed on 10.11.2014, customarily not being conducted before twelve years. The Government Pleader fairly conceded that the request for construction of the Muga Mandapam could be considered by the first respondent. Recording this, the Court disposed of the writ petition, directing the first respondent to consider the representation dated 19.07.2025 insofar as it pertains to construction of the Muga Mandapam and to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, preferably within six weeks. No costs.

W.P.(MD)No.22025 of 2025

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

DATED : 12.08.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN

W.P.(MD)No.22025 of 2025

C.Muthukumar

... Petitioner

-vs-

1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Dept., Dindigul.

2.The Executive Officer,

Arulmigu Mari Amman and Bhagavathi Amman Temple, Kizhakoattai Village, Chinnalapatti, Dindigul. ... Respondents

Prayer:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to grant permission to renovate Mariyamman Temple and Bagavathi Amman Temple and permit to construct proposed new Muga Mandabam measuring about 653 square feet for Bagavathi Amman Temple, based on petitioner's representation dated 19.07.2025, within the time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.Viji

For Respondents : Mr.SS.Madhavan

Additional Government Pleader

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ORDER

W.P.(MD)No.22025 of 2025

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the first respondent to grant permission to renovate Mariyamman Temple and Bagavathi Amman Temple, and to permit the construction of a proposed new Muga Mandapam measuring approximately 653 square feet for the Bagavathi Amman Temple, based on the petitioner's representation dated 19.07.2025, within the time stipulated by this Court.

2 . The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submits that the Executive Officer of Vandi Kaliamman Temple, Dindigul, was appointed as a Fit Person for the subject temples as early as 21.11.2005. It is submitted that despite the temple being under the control of the said Fit Person, the petitioner has proceeded with the proposed Palalaya Pooja and has scheduled it on 21.08.2025 without obtaining prior permission of the Fit Person.

3 . It is further submitted that the Kumbabhisekam for the temple was last performed on 10.11.2014, and as per customary norms, it is not ordinarily conducted before the period of twelve years. However, the learned Additional

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W.P.(MD)No.22025 of 2025

Government Pleader fairly submits that the petitioner's request for permission to construct the Muga Mandapam can be considered by the first respondent.

4 . Recording the above submission, this Writ Petition is disposed of, with a direction to the first respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 19.07.2025, insofar as it pertains to the construction of the Muga Mandapam and to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs.

NCC : Yes / No 12.08.2025 Index : Yes / No smn2

To:-

1.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Dept., Dindigul.

2.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Mari Amman and Bhagavathi Amman Temple, Kizhakoattai Village, Chinnalapatti, Dindigul.

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W.P.(MD)No.22025 of 2025

C.SARAVANAN, J.

smn2

W.P.(MD)No.22025 of 2025

12.08.2025

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