A.Radhakrishnan v. The Secretary to Government

ORDER The present writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the 11th respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 09.10.2023 and to take appropriate action for safeguarding the properties and proper administration of the 22nd and 24th respondent temples.

¶2The Party-in-Person, who appeared through video-conferencing has narrated the case and submitted that the 22nd and 24th respondent temples are under the control and supervision of the 11th respondent Department. He claims to be an ardent devotee who has been visiting the temples regularly. On such visits, he noticed several irregularities and illegalities in the administration of the temples as well as in the management of temple properties.

¶3It is further stated that he has been actively involved for more than two decades in safeguarding temple properties and ensuring proper administration of temples across the State by bringing irregularities to the notice of the authorities.

¶4While so, upon noticing certain alleged irregularities in the 22nd and 24th respondent temples, he submitted a detailed representation dated

09.10.2023 to the 11th respondent, requesting the authorities to maintain proper records relating to temple properties in accordance with the statutory provisions, Government Orders, circulars, and the law laid down by this Court, particularly to safeguard the interests of the temples. It is the grievance of the petitioner that despite the lapse of considerable time, no action has been taken on the said representation.

¶5He drew the attention of this Court to various communications, including G.O.Ms.No.413, the notice dated 13.06.2017 issued by the 14th respondent, and subsequent communications of the 5th and 6th respondents dated 13.09.2021, 01.08.2022 and 21.02.2023, clearly mandate the authorities to safeguard temple properties and ensure proper administration.

¶6He further submitted that this Court, in earlier writ petitions in W.P.Nos.14428 of 2017 and 16833 of 2017, has also issued directions emphasizing the duty of the authorities to protect temple properties.

¶7Despite such clear directions and statutory obligations, the 11th respondent and other officials have failed to act, resulting in maladministration and potential loss to temple properties. In such circumstances, this writ petition has been filed seeking for appropriate directions to the 11th respondent to consider the petitioner's representation within a time frame.

¶8Per contra, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the 11th respondent submitted that appropriate action would be taken on the petitioner's representation in accordance with law, within a reasonable time.

¶9This Court has considered the submissions made by learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

¶10The grievance of the petitioner is limited to the non-consideration of the representation dated 09.10.2023. Without going into the merits of the allegations made by the petitioner, this Court directs 11th respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 09.10.2023, on its own merits and in accordance with law, and pass appropriate orders, after affording opportunity to all necessary parties, if required, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶11The writ petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

24.04.2026 Index : Yes / No Speaking Order / Non-speaking order vsi2

¶1The Secretary to Government Public (Special A) Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

¶2The Secretary to Government, Human Resources (Inspection Cell Wing) Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

¶3The Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.

¶4The Secretary to Government, Home Department, Secretarial, Chennai-600 009.

¶5The Secretary to Government, Tourism Culture And Endowments Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

¶6The Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.

¶7The Commissioner of Land Administration, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.

¶8The Director of Survey and Settlements, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.

¶9The Inspector General of Registrations, 100, Santhome High Road, Chennai-600 028.

¶10The Director of Municipal Administration, Urban Building Complex, Santhome High Road, Chennai-600 028.

¶11The Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, 119, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai-600 034.

¶12The Director, Hindu Charitable Institutions Audit Tenampet, Chennai-600 018.

¶13The Additional Director General of Police, Law And Order, Kamarajar Salai, Chennai-600 004.

¶14The District Executive Magistrate Cum District Collector, Cuddalore.

¶15The Additional District Executive Magistrate Cum District Revenue Officer, Cuddalore.

¶16The Special Tahsildar, Temple Lands, Cuddalore.

¶17The Superintendent of Police, Cuddalore.

¶18The Inspector of Police, District Special Branch, Cuddalore.

¶19The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Cuddalore.

¶20The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, Cuddalore.

¶21The Fit Person/Chairman Board of Trustee Arulmigu Pralaya Kaleswarar Temple, Pennadam Village, Thittakuditaluk, Cuddalore District.

¶22The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Pralaya Kaleswarar Temple, Pennadam Village, Thittakuditaluk, Cuddalore District.

¶23The Fit Person/ Chairman Board of Trustee, Arulmigu Vaidhyanadha Swamy Temple, Thittakudi Taluk, Cuddalore District

¶24The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Vaidhyanadha Swamy Temple, Thittakudi Taluk, Cuddalore District. W.P.oNo.35203oofo2024 M.oDHANDAPANI,oJ.o vsi2 W.P.oNo.35203oofo2024 and W.M.P.oNo.33338oofo2025

24.04.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 24.04.2026 CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI and W.M.P. No.33338 of 2025 A.Radhakrishnan ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Secretary to Government Public (Special A) Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009. 2. The Secretary to Government, Human Resources (Inspection Cell Wing) Secretariat, Chennai-600 009. 3. The Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009. 4. The Secretary to Government, Home Department, Secretarial, Chennai-600 009. 5. The Secretary to Government, Tourism Culture And Endowments Secretariat, Chennai-600 009. 6. The Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005. 7. The Commissioner of Land Administration, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005. 8. The Director of Survey and Settlements, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005. 9. The Inspector General of Registrations, 100, Santhome High Road, Chennai-600 028. 10.The Director of Municipal Administration, Urban Building Complex, Santhome High Road, Chennai-600 028. 11.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, 119, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai-600 034. 12.The Director, Hindu Charitable Institutions Audit Tenampet, Chennai-600 018. 13.The Additional Director General of Police, Law And Order, Kamarajar Salai, Chennai-600 004. 14.The District Executive Magistrate Cum District Collector, Cuddalore. 15.The Additional District Executive Magistrate Cum District Revenue Officer, Cuddalore. 16.The Special Tahsildar, Temple Lands, Cuddalore. 17.The Superintendent of Police, Cuddalore. 18.The Inspector of Police, District Special Branch, Cuddalore. 19.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Cuddalore. 20.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, Cuddalore. 21.The Fit Person/Chairman Board of Trustee Arulmigu Pralaya Kaleswarar Temple, Pennadam Village, Thittakuditaluk, Cuddalore District. 22.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Pralaya Kaleswarar Temple, Pennadam Village, Thittakuditaluk, Cuddalore District. 23.The Fit Person/ Chairman Board of Trustee, Arulmigu Vaidhyanadha Swamy Temple, Thittakudi Taluk, Cuddalore District 24.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Vaidhyanadha Swamy Temple, Thittakudi Taluk, Cuddalore District. ..Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 11th respondent to secure and safeguard the 22nd and 24th respondent temples properties and its administration by considering petitioner representation dated 09.10.2023 For Petitioner : Mr.A. Radhakrishnan Party-in-person For Respondents : Mr.V. Meghanathan Govt. Advocate (Crl. Side) for R13, 17 and 18. Mr.S. Ravichandran Addl. Govt. Pleader (HR & CE) for R11,12, 19, 20 Mr.S. Rajesh Government Advocate for R1 to R10, R14 to R16