Sarangarajan v. The District Collector

ORDER (Made by S.M.Subramaniam J.) The present writ petition has been filed challenging the proceedings of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Udaiyarpalayam, dated 30.12.2025.

¶2The grievance of the writ petitioner is that a temple constructed in a Government poramboke land was not removed despite complaint as well as the directions issued by the Court. The Revenue Divisional Officer instead of initiating encroachment action for removal of encroachments has granted permission to open the temple and allowed the devotees to worship. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.

¶3Learned Additional Government Pleader would submit that it is an inter se dispute between two groups mainly between poojaries and therefore, the revenue authorities have relegated the parties to approach the civil Court for resolving the issues relating to worship in the temple. In this regard, earlier, a writ petition was filed and a contempt petition No.2080 of 2025 was also filed. This Court, in the order passed in the contempt petition, held that the persons, who claim to be the poojari of the temple, are at liberty to approach Page3 of 4 the civil Court for appropriate relief for declaring the rights over the temple. Considering the overall situation as well as the inter se dispute between two poojaries, the Revenue Divisional Officer, Udayarpalayam, in the impugned proceedings dated 30.12.2025 held that the right to relief in respect of worship in the temple may be obtained from the civil Court and the revenue authorities have to ensure that no law and order situation arises. Since the parties have been relegated to approach the civil Court, the present writ petition is unnecessary. Accordingly, this writ petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. [S.M.S., J.] [K.S., J.] 17-04-2026 Index: Yes Speaking/Non-speaking order gm To

1.The District Collector, Ariyalur District.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Udaiyarpalayam and Taluk, Ariyalur District.

3.The Thasildar, Jayankondam, Ariyalur and District. Page4 of 4

S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J. AND

K.SURENDER, J. gm 17-04-2026

Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 17-04-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S. M. SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE K. SURENDER and W.M.P.Nos.16191 & 16192 of 2026 Sarangarajan S/o.Nagarajan ..Petitioner Vs 1. The District Collector, Ariyalur District. 2. Revenue Divisional Officer, Udaiyarpalayam and Taluk, Ariyalur District. 3. The Thasildar, Jayankondam, Ariyalur and District. 4. Tirumavalvan S/o.Kaliyamoorthy ..Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the third respondent in proceedings dated 30.12.2025 in Na.Ka.A1Mc.No. 09/ 2024 and quash the same and the direct the third respondent to remove the encroachment, namely, newly unauthorised construction of temple in Government Poramboke lands in S.Nos.182/3, 182/4 and 182/5 Parukkal West Village, Udaiyarpalayam Taluk, Ariyalur Village, within a time frame fixed by this Court. Page2 of 4 For Petitioner : Mr.P.Arumugarajan For Respondents : Mr.T.Arunkumar Additional Government Pleader [R1 to R3] *****