S.Anandan v. The Additional Chief Secretary

O R D E R The petitioners have filed this writ petition seeking issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the fourth respondent dated 12.02.2026 and quash the same and direct the respondents to include the petitioners name in the voters list conduct election as early possible in the trust board of Arulmighu Angalamman Temple, Melmalayanur, Villupuram, in the years 2026.

2.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that Arulmigu Angalamman Temple situated at Melmalayanur is an ancient Temple and the said Temple belongs to the fishermen community and all pooja and other religious duties were performed by the family members of the fishermen specially 7 clans that have traditionally managed the Temple and the said Temple is one of the listed Temples under the control and Management of H.R. & C.E. Department. The petitioners father Sundaram Poosari belonged to the 3rd clan and he was assigned to perform poojas in the Temple during the third turn and he died on 22.08.2003 leaving behind the petitioners as his surviving legal heirs and after his demise, the petitioners family was allowed to perform poojas in the year 2024, however, when their turn of performing poojas came up during the year 2011, the petitioners were prohibited from performing poojas and rituals in the Temple on the pretext that the first petitioner is a minor and petitioners 2 and 3 are women and women were not allowed to perform pooja and the other members of the 3rd clan took away the benefits. After the first petitioner attained majority, he is entitled to pooja rights and he claimed his right to the respondents.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners further submitted that insofar as the present impugned order is concerned, the petitioners are eligible to be included in the voters list, however, the fourth respondent published the list of eligible voters/ impugned order, wherein the petitioners names were rejected on the ground case is pending. The petitioners right is hereditary and guaranteed by the Temple Scheme. Mere pendancy of the case will not deprive the petitioners from including their names in the voter list.

4.The learned Special Government Pleader submitted that the fourth respondent has inadvertently issued the impugned order rejecting to include the name of the petitioners in the voter list and further submitted that mere pendancy of the case will not deprive the petitioners from including their names in the voter list and further submitted that this Court may set aside the impugned order insofar as the petitioners are concerned.

5.In view of the fair submission made by the learned Special Government Pleader, the order passed by the fourth respondent dated

12.02.2026 is set aside insofar as the petitioners are concerned. The respondents are directed to include the petitioners name in the voters list. However, mere inclusion of the petitioners name in the voters list will not give any benefit to the petitioners in the pending case.

6.With the above observations and directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

12.03.2026 pri Index: Yes/ No Speaking Order: Yes/ No NCC: Yes/ No To 1 The Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamilnadu, Tourism, Culture and Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai. 2 The Commissioner, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai – 600 034. 3 The Joint Commissioner Villupuram District. M.DHANDAPANI,J. pri 4 The Assistant Commissioner / Election Officer, Arulmighu Melamalayanur Angalamman Temple, Melmalayanur, Villupuram at now working at The Assistant Commissioner Kallakurichi District. 5 The Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmighu Melmalayanur Angalamman Temple, Melmalaiyanur, Villupuram. And W.M.P.Nos.11115, 11117, 11119 of 2026

12.03.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 12.03.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI And W.M.P.Nos.11115, 11117, 11119 of 2026 1.S.Anandan 2.T.Neelaveni 3.S.Manju ... Petitioners Vs. 1 The Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamilnadu, Tourism, Culture and Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai. 2 The Commissioner, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai – 600 034. 3 The Joint Commissioner Villupuram District. 4 The Assistant Commissioner / Election Officer, Arulmighu Melamalayanur Angalamman Temple, Melmalayanur, Villupuram at now working at The Assistant Commissioner Kallakurichi District. 5 The Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmighu Melmalayanur Angalamman Temple, Melmalaiyanur, Villupuram. ... Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the fourth respondent dated 12.02.2026 and quash the same and direct the respondents to include the petitioner's name in the voters list conduct election as early possible in the trust board of Arulmighu Angalamman Temple, Melmalayanur, Villupuram in the years 2026. For Petitioners : Mr.Uma Shankar for M/s.K.Venkateswaran For Respondents : Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan Special Government Pleader