Dismissed¶34

R.Moorthi, v. The Superintendent of Police

Madras HC13 May 2026WP(MD)/14121/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Temple-festival 'first respect' custom dispute; denominational temple outside HR&CE purview; police-inquiry consensus to approach civil court bars administrative mandamus; writ petition (W.P(MD)No.14121 of 2026, Madurai Bench, Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, 13.05.2026) dismissed with law-and-order warning; no precedent citations, no quantum.

What did the court decide?

The so-called Arulmigu Sri Sirukulathu Karuppasamy Temple is a denominational temple and does not fall under the purview of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. ¶30

R.Moorthi, Vs The Superintendent of Police — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Dismissed

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Issue for consideration

Whether a writ of mandamus should issue directing the second respondent (Sub Collector, Usilampatti) to follow the alleged time-immemorial practice of giving first respect to each elder member of each street at the Arulmigu Sri Sirukulathu Karuppasamy Temple festival (22.05.2026-24.05.2026) by considering the petitioner's representation dated 15.04.2026.

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Court's answer

The so-called Arulmigu Sri Sirukulathu Karuppasamy Temple is a denominational temple and does not fall under the purview of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.

¶30

Ratio / Principle

On a complaint an inquiry was held by the Inspector of Police, Sindhupatti Police Station, and during that inquiry both parties agreed to approach the civil court for appropriate relief; consequently the petitioner's representation cannot be considered and the writ petition is devoid of merits.

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Key takeaways

Because the temple is denominational and outside the HR&CE Department, and because both sides had agreed at the police inquiry to seek civil-court relief, the petitioner's representation cannot be considered and the writ petition is dismissed.ratio¶30
If any law and order problem is created by any party, the authority concerned is to take appropriate stringent action against the persons committing such offence.obiter¶34

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ of mandamus (Art. 226) by R.Moorthi seeking a direction to the Sub Collector, Usilampatti (R2) to follow the claimed time-immorial practice of giving First Respect to each elder member of each street at the festival (22.05.2026-24.05.2026) of the Arulmigu Sri Sirukulathu Karuppasamy Temple, Sindhupatti Village, by considering his representation dated 15.04.2026 - DISMISSED. The Court found the temple denominational and outside the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department's purview; a police inquiry (Inspector of Police, Sindhupatti PS) had ended with both parties agreeing to approach the civil court for appropriate relief; the representation therefore could not be considered and the petition was devoid of merits. Parties were cautioned that any law-and-order breach would attract stringent action. No costs; connected W.m.P(MD) Nos.10531 and 10533 of 2026 closed. - G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, J.; 13.05.2026.

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W.P(MD)No.14121 of 2026

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED: 13.05.2026

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CORAM:

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN

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W.P(MD)No.14121 of 2026 and W.m.P(MD) Nos.10531 and 10533 of 2026

R.Moorthi

... Petitioner(s)

Vs.

The Superintendent of Police, Madurai, Madurai District.

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The Sub Collector, Revenue Divisional Office, Usilampatti, Madurai District.

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The Inspector of Police, Sindhupatti Police Station, Sindhupatti, Madurai District.

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The Executive Officer, O/o.Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Sindhupatti Venkatachalapathi Temple, Cholavanthan, Madurai District.

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1/6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P(MD)No.14121 of 2026

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Seenivasan, S/o.Seeni, Sindhupatti Village, Usilampatti Taluk, Madurai District.

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Ochathevan, S/o.Mayandithevar, Sindhupatti Village, Usilampatti Taluk, Madurai District.

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Kasimayan, S/o.Mayandithevar, Sindhupatti Village, Usilampatti Taluk, Madurai District.

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... Respondents

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PRAYER: Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondent 2 to follow the time immemorial practice of giving First Respect to the Each Elder member of the each street, on the occasion of the temple festival of the Arulmigu Sri Sirukulathu Karupasamy Temple at Sindhupatti Village conducted on 22.05.2026 to 24.05.2026 by considering the petitioner representation dated 15.04.2026 and pass such further or other orders as this Hon'ble court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of this case and thus render justice.

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For Petitioner : Mr. K.R.Laxman For Respondents : Mr.T.Amjad Khan,

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2/6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P(MD)No.14121 of 2026

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Government Advocate for R1 to R4 Mr.J.Senthi Kumaraiah for R5 to R7

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O R D E R

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This writ petition has been filed for a direction directing the second respondent to consider the representation submitted by the petitioner seeking first respect to each elder member of each street on the occasion of the Arulmigu Sri Sirukulathu Karuppasamy Temple at Sindhupatti Village, Usilampatti Taluk, Madurai District.

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By consent of both parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials placed before this Court.

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It is seen that the so-called Arulmigu Sri Sirukulathu Karuppasamy Temple is a denominational temple and is not coming under the purview of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Further, on the complaint, an inquiry was conducted by the Inspector of Police, Sindhupatti Police Station. During the inquiry, both parties agreed to approach the civil court for appropriate relief. Therefore, the representation submitted by the petitioner cannot be considered and the writ petition is devoid of merits and

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P(MD)No.14121 of 2026

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accordingly, stands dismissed. It is also made clear that, if any law and order problem is created by any party, the authority concerned is directed to take appropriate stringent action against the persons who commit such offence. No

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costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

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13.05.2026

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Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes/No PKN

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4/6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P(MD)No.14121 of 2026

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To: -

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The Superintendent of Police, Madurai, Madurai District.

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The Sub Collector, Revenue Divisional Office, Usilampatti, Madurai District.

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The Inspector of Police, Sindhupatti Police Station, Sindhupatti, Madurai District.

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The Executive Officer, O/o.Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Sindhupatti Venkatachalapathi Temple, Cholavanthan, Madurai District.

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5/6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P(MD)No.14121 of 2026

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G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

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PKN

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W.P(MD)No.14121 of 2026