Arulmigu Sri Balasubramaniya Swamy v. The District Collector

ORDER The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 03.03.2025. Page2 of 6

¶2The case of the petitioner is that the petitioner, Arulmigu Sri Balasubramaniya Swamy Thirukoil, is a century-old temple situated on Narikundru Hill in Survey No.360/6 (Old S.No.74), Paramanandal Village, Chengam Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District. The temple is located on forest hill land and has been worshipped by devotees from surrounding villages for more than 100 years during festivals such as Thaipoosam, Panguni Uthiram, Aadi Kruthigai and Karthigai Deepam.

¶3According to the petitioner, while assigning the adjacent land to the 4th respondent, the hill area in the possession of the temple was erroneously included in the assignment. Upon representations made by the villagers, the 3rd respondent inspected the site on 24.06.2024 and found that the forest hill area had been wrongly included in the assignment, assuring that the mistake would be rectified. Thereafter, the petitioner submitted representations dated

03.03.2025 seeking cancellation of the assignment patta issued to the 4th respondent and grant of patta in favour of the temple, followed by a reminder dated 27.10.2025. Though the matter was forwarded for enquiry and submission of a report, no final orders have been passed by the 1st respondent. Aggrieved by the inaction of the respondents, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition seeking appropriate directions. Page3 of 6

¶4In response, Mr. B. Pachaiyappan, learned Government Counsel appearing for the respondents 1 to 3, submitted that the representation of the petitioner dated 03.03.2025 would be considered by the respondents 1 and 3, who are the competent authorities, and appropriate orders would be passed thereon on merits and in accordance with law, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

¶5Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made on either side, this Court, without going into the merits of the matter, directs the respondents 1 and 3 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 03.03.2025. The respondents 1 and 3, after issuing due notice to the petitioner as well as the respondents 4 and 5 and affording them an opportunity for a personal hearing, shall pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law. The entire exercise shall be completed within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Page4 of 6

¶6With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. 17-07-2026 Asi To

¶1The District Collector Tiruvannamalai District Tiruvannamalai-606 604.

¶2The Revenue Divisional Officer Tiruvannamalai District, Tiruvannamalai -606601.

¶3The Tahsildar Chengam Taluk, Chengam-606 701 Page5 of 6 WPoNo.o5966oofo2026 KRISHNANoRAMASAMY,oJ. Asi WPoNo.o5966oofo2026 17-07-2026 Page6oofo6

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 17-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY Arulmigu Sri Balasubramaniya Swamy Thirukoil, rep by its Present Dharmakartha K.Rajesh, S/o.Kali Kottavur Village Kuppanatham Post, Chengam Taluk, ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The District Collector Tiruvannamalai District Tiruvannamalai- 606 604. 2. The Revenue Divisional Officer Tiruvannamalai District, Tiruvannamalai -606601. 3. The Tahsildar Chengam Taluk, Chengam- 606 701 4. M.Pandurangan S/o.Mottaiya Gounder at Kottavur village Kuppanatham Post Chengam Taluk Page1 of 6 5. N.Chinnakulandai S/o.Natesa Gounder at Kottavur village Kuppanatham Post Chengam Taluk ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: The Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to consider the representation dated 03.03.2025 submitted on behalf of the petitioner temple, pass necessary orders after giving notice to the respondents 4 and 5 and conducting enquiry within the time that may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner(s): Mr. P.Mani For Respondent(s): Mr. C. Prabakaran Government Counsel for R1 to R3