R.Gunasekaran v. The Direstrict Collector,

ORDER This writ petition has been filed to direct the 2nd Respondent to reopen and permit public worship in the Arulmigu Mariamman Temple and Arulmigu Maakkaali Amman Temple situated at Manthiripalayam, Thingalur Village, Perundurai Taluk, Erode District and to direct the 2nd respondent to supervise and conduct the annual temple festival for the current year in a peaceful, fair and impartial manner with and protect the customary and religious rights of the villagers

¶2The petitioner submits that he is residing at Manthiripalayam, Page3 of 6 Chinniyamplayam, Thingalur Village, Perundurai Taluk, Erode and he is a devotee of Arulmigu Mariamman Temple and Arulmigu Maakaali Amman Temple situated at Manthiripalayam, Chinniyampalayam, Thingalur Village, Perundurai Taluk, Erode. The said temple has been worshipped by petitioner's forefathers and villagers for more than 100 years and the worship for the villagers belonging to Vettuva Gounder and Nadar communities. According to the petitioner, the private respondents created obstruction and attempted to prevent the conduct of the temple festival. Due to deprivation of spiritual worship and customary temple festivals in the temple, the petitioner along with village public submitted representation before the 1st respondent during the Public Grievance Rederessal Meeting conducted on 12.01.2026 and submitted a separate representation before the 4th respondent Police on 16.02.2026 seeking necessary protection for the peaceful conduct of the temple festival. Further the petitioner submitted that he has given a detailed representation dated 23.05.2026 to respondents 1 to 4 for reopening the common temple for public worship and for conducting the annual temple festival under the supervision of the District Administration, H.R.&CE department and Police authorities in a peaceful and impartial manner. Now this writ petition is filed for appropriate relief. Page4 of 6

¶3Mr.Alagu Narayanan, learned Additional Government Pleader for 2nd respondent (H.R.&CE), Mrs.R.K.Varshini, Government Advocate for R1 and R3 submits that four weeks time may be granted to 2nd respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner and pass appropriate orders.

¶4Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, this court directs the 2nd respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated

23.05.2026 and after affording opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner as well as the parties interested, pass appropriate orders, in accordance with law, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶5This writ petition is disposed of with the above direction. No costs. 05-08-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order NVSRI Page5 of 6 To

¶1The Direstrict Collector, Collectorate, Erode District, Erode 638011.

¶2The Joint commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR and CE), Joint Commissioner Office, Erode 638009.

¶3The Tashildar, Perundurai Taluk, Erode District. WPoNo.o20772oofo2026 KRISHNANoRAMASAMY,oJ. NVSRI WPoNo.o20772oofo2026 05-08-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 05-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY R.Gunasekaran S/o.Ramasamy, Door No.9/73, Manthiripalayam, Chinniyampalayam Post, Thingalur Village, Perundurai Taluk, Erode District 638103. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Direstrict Collector, Collectorate, Erode District, Erode 638011. 2. The Joint commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR and CE), Joint Commissioner Office, Erode 638009. 3. The Tashildar, Perundurai Taluk, Erode District. 4. Shanumugam S/o.Unkonwn, Manthiripalayam, Chinniyampalayam Post, Thingalur Village, Perundurai Taluk, Erode District.638103. 5. Sangappan, S/o.Unkonwn, Manthiripalayam, Chinniyampalayam Post, Thingalur Village, Perundurai Taluk, Erode District.638103. 6. Velusamy, S/o.Unkonwn, Manthiripalayam, Chinniyampalayam Post, Thingalur Village, Perundurai Taluk, Erode District.638103. ..Respondent(s) Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, for writ of mandamus directing the 2nd Respondent to reopen and permit public worship Page2 of 6 in the Arulmigu Mariamman Temple and Arulmigu Maakkaali Amman Temple situated at Manthiripalayam, Thingalur Village, Perundurai Taluk, Erode District and Directing the 2nd respondent to supervise and conduct the annual temple festival for the current year in a peaceful, fair and impartial manner with and protect the customary and religious rights of the villagers. For Petitioner(s): Mr.K.Vasanthanayagan For Respondent(s): Mr.Alagu Narayanan Add Government Peader (H.R&CE) for R2 Mrs.R.K.Varshini, Govt.Advocate for R1 and R3. R5 and R6-Notice served -No appearance.