Sakthivel Murugan P v. The Joint Commissioner

Madras HC2 Mar 2026WP(MD)/5644/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Mandamus; Article 226; HR&CE Department Dindigul; enquiry pending conclusion; patta cancellation temple land; Arulmigu Bhagavathi Amman Kovil; Arulmigu Vinayagar Kovil; Pithalaipatti Village, Aathur Taluk; Patta Nos.64 & 65; Survey Nos.118 & 120; Na.Ka.No.5140/2025/AA3 dated 22-09-2025; enquiry held 06.10.2025; time-bound direction eight weeks; W.P(MD)No. 5644 of 2026; S. Srimathy, J.; disposed of, no costs.

What did the court decide?

Mandamus by way of direction to the second respondent (Assistant Commissioner, Department of Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments, Dindigul District) to consider the petitioner's claim and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within eight (8) weeks from receipt of a copy of the order; petition disposed of, no costs. ¶¶29

Sakthivel Murugan P Vs The Joint Commissioner — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

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Issue for consideration

Whether a writ of mandamus should issue directing the second respondent (Assistant Commissioner, HR&CE, Dindigul) to conclude the enquiry in proceedings Na.Ka.No.5140/2025/AA3 dated 22-09-2025 and cancel the patta names of Arulmigu Bhagavathi Amman Kovil and Arulmigu Vinayagar Kovil at Pithalaipatti Village.

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Court's answer

The Court directed the second respondent to consider the petitioner's claim and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.

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Ratio / Principle

With the above directions, the writ petition was disposed of with no costs.

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Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ Petition (W.P(MD)No. 5644 of 2026, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, S. Srimathy, J.) filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a mandamus directing the Assistant Commissioner, Department of Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments, Dindigul District (second respondent), to conclude the enquiry in proceedings Na.Ka.No.5140/2025/AA3 dated 22-09-2025 and, consequently, cancel the patta entries in the names of Arulmigu Bhagavathi Amman Kovil (Patta Nos.64 and 65, Survey No.120, 1.13 hectares) and Arulmigu Vinayagar Kovil (Survey No.118, 1.71 hectares) at Pithalaipatti Village, Aathur Taluk, Dindigul District. Counsel submitted that no dispute existed between the petitioner and the private respondents; an enquiry had been held on 06.10.2025 after notice on 22.09.2025, written submissions were filed, but no orders had been passed. Accepting this position, the Court directed the second respondent to consider the petitioner's claim and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within eight weeks of receipt of a copy of the order, and disposed of the petition with no costs.

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W.P(MD)No. 5644 of 2026

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

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DATED : 02.03.2026

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CORAM:

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THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY

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W.P(MD)No. 5644 of 2026

P.Sakthivel Murugan

... Petitioner

The Joint Commissioner, Department of Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments, Dindigul District.

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The Assistant Commissioner, Department of Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments, Dindigul District.

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S.Sampath

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P.Meenakshi Sundaram ... 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 second respondent to conclude the enquiry process notice proceedings in Na.Ka.No.5140/2025/AA3 dated 22-09-2025 and consequently, to cancel the patta name of the Arulmigu Bhagavathi Amman Kovil in Patta No.64 and 65 in survey No.120 measuring an extent of 1.13 hectare and to cancel the patta name of the Arulmigu Vinayagar Kovil in survery No. 118 measuring an extent of 1.71 hectare situated at Pithalaipatti Village, Aathur Taluk, Dindigul District.

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

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W.P(MD)No. 5644 of 2026

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For Petitioner : M/s. G.Kavitha For R1 & R2 : Mr.S.Shanmugavel Additional Government Pleader

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O R D E R

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This Writ Petition is filed for a Mandamus to direct the second

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respondent to conclude the enquiry process regarding proceedings in Na.Ka.No.5140/2025/AA3 dated 22-09-2025 and consequently, to cancel the patta in the name of the Arulmigu Bhagavathi Amman Kovil in Patta No.64 and 65 in survey No.120 measuring an extent of 1.13 hectare and to cancel the patta name of the Arulmigu Vinayagar Kovil in survery No. 118 measuring an extent of 1.71 hectare situated at Pithalaipatti Village, Aathur Taluk, Dindigul District.

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The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that there is no dispute between the petitioner and the private respondents. The second respondent has already conducted an enquiry on 06.10.2025 after issuing notice on 22.09.2025. During enquiry, the petitioner has given written submission. However, so far, no orders have been passed by the second

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

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W.P(MD)No. 5644 of 2026

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respondent.

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In view of the above submission, the second respondent is

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directed to consider the petitioner’s claim and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

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