Dr.M.K.Venkat Prasad v. The Commissioner

ORDER (Made by G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.) Heard.

2.The writ petition is filed challenging the tender notification in e-tender No.1/2025 dated 19.09.2025 and for a consequential direction to the respondents to restore the nandavanam of the temple.

3.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the third respondent temple is proceeding with the work in breach of the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 and also the directions issued by this Court as well as the Hon'ble Supreme Court, in the Arulmigu Srinivasa Perumal Temple, which is a heritage temple.

4.The learned counsel for the third respondent submitted that already the tender has been confirmed and work order has been issued to the successful bidder and almost part of the work has already been completed. He further submitted that only certain constructions to secure the vahanams of the deity are being made, without in any way disturbing the existing structures of the temple.

5.At the outset, though very many grounds are raised in the writ petition, the petitioner has challenged only the tender notification dated 19.09.2025. Admittedly, when the tender process has already been completed and work order has been issued in favour of the successful bidder, who has also completed a portion of the work, no orders can be passed without any challenge to the award of tender and in the absence of the successful bidder.

6.Accordingly, without adverting to the merits of the case, reserving the liberty to the petitioner to challenge the awarding of tender, if so advised, the writ petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Connected interim applications are closed. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN, J)

10.06.2026 Index : : gya To

¶1The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034

2.The Joint commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai Division II, No.209, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Arumbakkam, Chennai 600 106

3.The Executive officer Arulmighu Srinivas Perumal Temple, LNP Koil Street, Egmore, Chennai 600 008 W.P.,No.13578,of,2026 THE,HON'BLE,CHIEF,JUSTICE ,,,,AND G.ARUL,MURUGAN,J. gya (W.P.,No.((13578((,of,20((26( ,,,,,10.06.2026 Page,6,of,6

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 10.06.2026 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN W.P. No. 13578 of 20 AND W.M.P.Nos.14848, 14850 & 14851 of 2026 Dr.M.K.Venkat Prasad S/o. Krishnamurthy, 19/10 East Spur Tank Road, Chetpet, Chennai 600 031 Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034 2.The Joint commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai Division II, No.209, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Arumbakkam, Chennai 600 106 3.The Executive officer Arulmighu Srinivasa Perumal Temple, LNP Koil Street, Egmore, Chennai 600 008 Respondent(s) PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of certiorarified mandamus to call for the records made in the impugned order issued by respondents vide tender notification E-Tender No.1/2025 dated 19/09/2025 published in newspaper Dhinakaran dated 23.09.2025 and quash the same as illegal void and unconstitutional and consequently direct the respondents herein to restore the Nandavanam of the temple which has been destroyed by the respondents. For Petitioner(s): Mr. B.Jagannath For Respondent(s):Mr. D.Yashwanth Rajan Government Advocate for R1 and R2 Mr.S.Vijayaganesh for R3