P.Ramesh Vs The District Collector — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2025)

P.Ramesh Vs The District Collector — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Writ petition closed on the Court recording compliance with the directions in its order dated 24.09.2025; no fresh directions issued.

Issue for consideration

Whether the directions issued by this Court in its order dated 24.09.2025 — survey of the temple lands, identification of encroachers, restoration of possession to the temple, initiation of the statutory process under Section 78 of the HR & CE Act, and updation of the HR & CE website — have been complied with. +1 more

Court's answer

The Court held that the directions contained in its order dated 24.09.2025 (survey, identification of encroachers, recovery of possession, Section 78 HR & CE Act process and website updation) had been complied with, leaving no further orders to be passed in the matter.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

W.P.(MD)No.25619 of 2025 — Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, order dated 13.11.2025 made by C.Kumarappan J. on the Division Bench of Dr.Anita Sumanth and C.Kumarappan JJ. Compliance closure. Petitioner P.Ramesh sought a mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution directing respondents 2 and 3 (Joint Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner, HR & CE) to remove encroachments over temple lands in Survey Nos.128/1, 128/3, 128/7, 223/7, 223/8, 243/3 and 253/3 belonging to Sri Ooranikarai Nadu Mudhalaikkulam Perumal Temple, Mudhalikulam Village, Usilampatti Taluk, Madurai District, restore possession to the temple and update the HR & CE website on his representation dated 12.07.2025. Respondents 4 (Inspector/Fit Person) and 5 (District Revenue Officer) were suo motu impleaded by order dated 17.09.2025. By order dated 24.09.2025 the Court had issued directions for compliance. On 13.11.2025, the Additional Government Pleader, on the Inspector's written instructions of even date, reported that survey identified 8 encroachers; three voluntarily handed over possession; proposals for notices under Section 78 of the HR & CE Act were submitted against the other five; and the HR & CE website was duly updated. Holding the directions complied with, the Court required no further orders and closed the matter. No precedent was cited or discussed.

W.P.(MD)No.25619 of 2025

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

DATED: 13.11.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN

WP(MD)No. 25619 of 2025

P.Ramesh

...Petitioner

Vs

1.The District Collector,

Madurai District, Madurai.

2.The Joint Commissioner,

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Madurai Region,

Madurai - 625001.

3.The Assistant Commissioner,

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.6-2-1, Palanichettipatti,

Theni – 625 531.

4.Inspector/Fit Person,

Arulmighu Perumal Temple, Muthalaikulam Village, Usilampatti.

5.The District Revenue Officer,

Madurai.

....Respondents

(R 4 & R 5 are suo motu impleaded vide order

dated 17.09.2025 in W.P(MD)No.25619 of 2025)

For Petitioner: Mr.V.Nambi Nachiyar

For Respondents: Mr.J.Ashok

Additional Government Pleader

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W.P.(MD)No.25619 of 2025

Prayer:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 2 and 3 to take appropriate action for the removal of encroachments over the temple lands comprised in Survey Nos.128/1, 128/3, 128/7, 223/7, 223/8, 243/3 and 253/3 belonging to Sri Ooranikarai Nadu Mudhalaikkulam Perumal Temple situated at Mudhalikulam Village, Usilampatti Taluk, Madurai District and to restore possession to the temple and ensure proper maintenance and update the temple property details in the official HR and CE website based on the petitioner's representation dated 12.07.2025 within the time limit that may be stipulated by this Court.

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by C.KUMARAPPAN J. )

Today, this matter is posted 'for reporting compliance'.

2.The learned Additional Government Pleader, on written

instructions from the Inspector of HR & CE, Arulmighu Perumal Temple, Muthalaikulam Village, Usilampatti, dated 13.11.2025, would submit that in pursuance of the order of this Court dated 24.09.2025, survey was conducted and 8 encroachers were identified. Among 8 encroachers, three of them have voluntarily handed over the possession of the encroached portion of the land. As against five other persons, proposal was submitted before the Assistant Commissioner, HR & CE, so as to issue notice under Section 78 of HR & CE Act. He would also submit

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W.P.(MD)No.25619 of 2025

that in pursuance of the order, proper details have been updated in the HR & CE website.

3.Written instructions along with the notice are placed on

record.

4.Since directions under order dated 24.09.2025 are complied

with, no further orders are required.

(A.S.M., J.) (C.K., .) 13.11.2025

ta

To

The District Collector Madurai District, Madurai.

The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Madurai Region, Madurai - 625001.

The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.6-2-1, Palanichettipatti, Theni – 625531.

4.Inspector/Fit Person, Arulmighu Perumal Temple, Muthalaikulam Village, Usilampatti.

5.The District Revenue Officer, Madurai.

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W.P.(MD)No.25619 of 2025

DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J. AND C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

ta

W.P.(MD)No.25619 of 2025

13.11.2025

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