Sri Subramanya Swamy Thirukovil v. The Commissioner

O R D E R This Writ Petition is filed challenging the order passed by the 3rd respondent dated 20.02.2026 and also seeking for a consequential direction, directing the respondents to act as decided in the order dated

20.08.2025 of the third respondent and "identify and fix the Battar(s) for performing poojas in main shrine and sub temples on day-to-day basis every month and direct the said Battars to get jewels from the Sthalathars and temple authorities on acknowledgement and safely return the same on completion of programme/festival to the Sthalathars and temple authorities", within a time limit to be fixed by this Court.

¶2By consent, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

¶3The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that by virtue of the impugned order, the respondents proposed to identify and nominate the Battars to receive the jewels from the petitioner for the festival to be held on 27.02.2026 and 28.02.2026. He would further submit that if Battars are identified and nominated, it is convenient to the petitioner to hand over the jewels safely to them. Since no names were identified and nominated so far, the petitioner is facing difficulty to hand over the jewels. Therefore, the petitioner has filed this Writ Petition for the above said relief.

¶4When the matter is taken up for hearing in the Forenoon today, this Court directed the respondents to nominate the Battars, who are going to receive the jewels from the petitioner, considering the fact that the festival is scheduled to be held on 27.02.2026 and 28.02.2026. Accordingly, the third respondent has passed an order dated 25.02.2026, nominating two Battars viz., S.Gomathi Sankara Battar, S/o.Subbiah Battar and D.Shanmugam Battar, S/o.Dharmaraj Battar, to receive the jewels from the Superintendent, Peshkar and 7 Sthalathars of the temple. Further, in the said order dated 25.02.2026, it is clearly mentioned that the above said two Battars will be responsible for the jewels until the return of the same to the Superintendent, Peshkar and 7 Sthalathars of the temple, after completion of the festival.

¶5In such view of the matter, the petitioner's grievance has been duly addressed by appointing two Battars, so that the petitioner can conveniently hand over the jewels to those two Battars. Therefore, no further direction is required to be issued in this Writ Petition.

¶6At this juncture, the learned counsel appearing for respondents 2 to 4 seek police protection for conducting the temple festival, which is scheduled to be held on 27.02.2026 and 28.02.2026. At any cost, it is the duty of the District Collector as well as the concerned Superintendent of Police to see that no untoward incident happens and the festival is celebrated safely.

¶7With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

25.02.2026 vsm Index : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No

KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J. vsm To

1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 139, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034.

2.The Ulthurai Superintendent,

3.The Executive Officer/Joint Commissioner,

4.The Thakkar/Fit Person, W.P.(MD)No.5279 of 2026

25.02.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 25.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.(MD)No.5279 of 2026 and W.M.P.(MD)No.4415 of 2026 Sri Subramanya Swamy Thirukovil Swathanthira Paribalana Sthalathargal Sabai (Regd.No.12/1996) Rep. By its President, M.Veerabaghu Moorthy, No.37, Thuvadhasi Madam, Theppakulam Street, Tiruchendur – 628 215, ... Petitioner Vs 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 139, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034. 2.The Ulthurai Superintendent, 3.The Executive Officer/Joint Commissioner, 4.The Thakkar/Fit Person, ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records related to the order Na.Ka.No.1320/2026/U2 dated 20.02.2026 passed by the 3rd respondent and quash the same and consequently, direct the respondents to act as decided in the order dated 20.08.2025 of the third respondent and "identify and fix the Battar(s) for performing poojas in main shrine and sub temples on day to day basis every month and direct the said Battars to get jewels from the Sthalathars and temple authorities on acknowledgement and safely return the same on completion of programme/festival to the Sthalathars and temple authorities", within a time limit to be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.Sricharan Rangarajan, Senior Counsel for Mr.T.Sakthi Kumaran For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani, Spl. Govt. Pleader for R1 Mr.R.Bharanidharan, for Mr.M.Muthugethayan for R2 to R4 Mr.V.R.Shanmuganathan for Mr.Suirya Kannan Sabanayagam (Murai Battars)