K. Varadharajan v. The Comissioner

ORDER The writ petition is filed challenging the impugned order dated

14.02.2026, by which the respondents have requested that charge be handed over to the Fit Person appointed in respect of the temple.

¶2Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and perusing the materials on record, the grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner and the family members alone are entitled to be appointed as trustees on a rotation basis as per the scheme. They were appointed as trustees and even though their period is over, they are continuing as such. The respondents have invited applications for appointment of fresh trustees. The petitioner as well as some other family members have applied. Certain other persons claiming hereditary trusteeship have also applied and the enquiry in that regard is over. Without appointing the trustees, a Fit Person was appointed in the year 2024. Challenging the same, the petitioner has filed R.P. No.490 of 2024, which is still pending. Even though an application for interim relief was filed, the same has not been taken up and the revision is pending till date. Page3 of 7

¶3While so, when public funds to the tune of Rs.96,00,000/- have now been allotted for undertaking Tirupani, the hereditary trustees and the family members are sought to be kept away and therefore, charge is now sought to be taken from the petitioner. Hence, a direction is sought for to appoint the trustees at the earliest and in the meanwhile, to permit the petitioner to continue to be in charge of the temple.

¶4The learned Special Government Pleader taking notice for the respondents would submit that the Fit Person was appointed in the year 2024. The petitioner's tenure of two years expired in the year 2022 and even in the revision they have prayed extension for a further period of two years. That also is now over. They cannot continue eternally. It is true that the process for appointment of new trustees has been initiated and the same will be done in accordance with law. There is no interim order with reference to the appointment of the Fit Person. In the meanwhile, the Government has allocated funds for Thiruppani and if the charge is not handed over, the funds will remain unutilized. Therefore, no relief can be granted.

¶5The learned counsel appearing for the other applicants claiming hereditary trusteeship also supported the case of the petitioner and requested that the trustees may be appointed at the earliest. Page4 of 7

¶6I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the materials on record.

¶7On a specific query that was made by this Court as to whether any Tirupani Committee will be appointed, the learned Special Government Pleader submitted that since no public contribution is involved in the present case, no such committee has so far been appointed.

¶8It can be seen that the tenure of the petitioner is over long ago and there is no interim order with regard to the appointment of the Fit Person. Therefore, the petitioner cannot now resist the action of the respondents in taking over the management of the temple, especially when a sum of Rs.96,00,000/- has been allotted by the Government for Tirupani and the same has to be undertaken. Therefore, I am not granting the relief, prohibiting the fit person to take the charge from the trustees. However, at the same time, when the temple is being administered by the family, they should not be totally excluded at the crucial stage of undertaking Tirupani and their application for trusteeship should not be kept pending. At the same time, the funds should not lapse. In such circumstances, I'm of the view that expeditious steps shall be taken to complete the process of appointment of trustees. Similarly, expeditious steps shall be taken to dispose of the revision petition in R.P. No.490 of 2024 filed by the petitioner. Page5 of 7

¶9In the meanwhile, let the Fit Person shall take charge and make all necessary applications before the Advisory Committee and other authorities. With reference to every step taken, the petitioner shall be kept informed and the petitioner shall also be permitted to participate in the proceedings before the Joint Commissioner / Hereditary Committee. As and when proposals relating to Tirupani are submitted for approval, the views of the petitioner as well as the other applicants shall also be heard with regard to the nature of the works to be undertaken and the improvements / renovations / conservation to be made in the temple. The process for appointment of trustees shall be completed and final orders shall be passed within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a web copy of this order without waiting for the certified copy of the order. Similarly, R.P. No.490 of 2024 shall also be disposed of within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a web copy of the order without waiting for the certified copy of the order.

10.With the above directions, the writ petition stands disposed of. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is also closed. No costs. 19-02-2026 NSL Page6 of 7 To

¶1The Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034.

¶2The Joint Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Admn.) Department, Kancheepuram.

¶3The Fit Person/ Executive Officer of Arulmighu Kailasanahar and Dakshninamoorthy Temple, Govindavadi.

¶4The Inspector, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Kancheepuram. WPoNo.o7011oofo2026 D.BHARATHAoCHAKRAVARTHY,oJ. NSL ' WPoNo.o7011oofo2026 19-02-2026 Page7oofo7

Page1 of 7 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 19-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P.No.7635 & 7636 of 2026 K. Varadharajan ..Petitioner Vs 1. The Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034. 2. The Joint Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Admn.) Department, Kancheepuram. 3. The Fit Person/ Executive Officer of Arulmighu Kailasanahar and Dakshninamoorthy Temple, Govindavadi. 4. The Inspector, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Kancheepuram. ..Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records of the third respondent pertaining to the impugned Letter dated 14.02.2026 and quash the same as illegal, without jurisdiction, ultravires, premature and direct the respondents to appoint non-Hereditary Trustees to the Temple, Kooram Village, Kancheepuram District pursuant to the Notification of the second respondent dated 08.05.2025 in Tha.Mu.No.27/2025/B2. Page2 of 7 For Petitioner: Mr.D.Rajagopal For Respondents: Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan Special Government Pleader for R1 to R4