Sri Ayyanar Samy Temple v. The Joint Commisioner

ORDER This writ petition is filed for a mandamus forbearing the respondents from demanding the petitioner to produce the documents, accounts and submit explanation repeatedly in respect of the denomination temples namely Arul Migu Sri Ayyanar Swamy temple, Karuppasamy temple, Sri Palinjiamman Temple, Sri Kannimar Samy Temple, Si Roti thamburayan Swamy Temple situated at Konapatti Village, Sanarpatti Panchayat, Dindigul District.

2.According to the learned counsel for the petitioner, these temples are the denomination temples and already civil suit is filed in O.S.No.305 of 2023 on the file of the District Munsif Court, Dindigul and the same is pending. Pending the same, without any purpose whatsoever, the respondents are repeatedly asking for the above particulars including all the documents relating to the temple, all the accounts, etc. Even though the documents are all submitted, every year repeatedly the same is being insisted. When the temples are denominated temples and the respondents do not even have jurisdiction to ask for such accounts, the same cannot be done.

3.Per Contra, the learned Additional Government Pleader taking notice on behalf of the respondents would submit that the suit is pending and is not decreed so far. Further, an enquiry was also ordered in W.P(MD)No.10774 of 2021 filed by one Sadaiyappan. Therefore, the particulars are being sought for from the petitioner.

4.With reference to the denomination temples, whether the accounts can be brought for and whether the Department can also ask for its share of service, charges from the hundial collection etc, are in dispute. But for the same, first the petitioner has to succeed in declaring that the temple as a denominated temple. Unless the suit was decreed in favour of the petitioner, the present mandamus cannot be sought for. Therefore, until the civil suit is decreed in favor of the petitioner, the respondents will be justified in periodically asking for the accounts and other documents relating to the temple. It will be open for the petitioner to move any interim application in the pending suit also. If the suit is decreed in favour of the petitioner thereafter, the petitioner can renew the same request for not asking for any accounts etc.

5.With the aforesaid liberties kept open for the present the prayer made by the petitioner cannot be countenanced and as such the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

08.04.2026 NCC:Yes/No Ns To

1.The Joint Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Dindigul.

2.The Assistant Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Dindigul.

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J. Ns and W.M.P(MD)No.7646 of 2026

08.04.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated: 08.04.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P(MD)No.7646 of 2026 Sri Ayyanar Samy Temple Sri Karuppasamy Temple Sri Palinjiamman Temple Sri Kannimar Samy Temple Sri Nothi Thamburayan Swamy Temple through its trustees 1.G.Shanmugasundharan 2.S.Raja ... Petitioners Vs. 1.The Joint Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Dindigul. 2.The Assistant Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Dindigul. ...Respondents Writ Petitions are filed under article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, forbearing the respondents from demanding to produce the documents, accounts and submit explanation repeatedly in respect of the denomination temples under the name and style "Arulmighu Sri Ayyanar Samy Temple, Karuppasamy Temple, Sri Palinjiamman Temple, Sri Kannimar Samy Temple, Si Roti thamburayan Swamy Temple, Konapatti Village, Sanarpatti Panchayat, Dindigul District, in violation of Article 26 of the Constitution of India. For Petitioner :Mr.R.G.Shankar Ganesh For Respondents :Mr.M.Sarangan Additional Government Pleader