Subramanian v. The District Collector/Inspector of Panchayats

O R D E R This Writ Petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 05.06.2026 and consequentially direct the first respondent to issue tender notification by the sixth respondent for the temporary shops establish during the punguni peruvizha held at Konnaiyur Muthumariamman Temple, Konnaiyur, Ponnamaravathi Taluk, Pudukottai District in Survey No.49/1, 49/3 within the time frame.

¶2Heard the learned counsel for the parties.

¶3By consent of both parties, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

¶4The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the land comprised in Survey Nos. 49/1 and 49/3 is classified as Sarkar Poramboke land. It is further submitted that, for the purpose of establishing temporary shops during the Panguni Festival conducted every year at Arulmigu Konnaiyur Muthumariamman Temple, Konnaiyur, Ponnamaravathi Taluk, Pudukottai District, the petitioner submitted a representation to the first respondent seeking permission. Since the said representation has not been considered till date, the present writ petition has been filed before this Court.

¶5The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the seventh respondent/Executive Officer would submit that the land comprised in Survey No.49/1 belongs to the Temple, whereas Survey No.49/3 is a pathway leading to the temple. The issue regarding the nature of the land and the encroachments therein has already been considered by the Division Bench of this Court in W.P.

(MD) No.18227 of 2020, by order dated 11.12.2020, wherein appropriate directions were issued for removal of the encroachments and restoration of the land to the Temple.

¶6The learned Standing Counsel further submitted that temporary shops are allotted only through public auction conducted by the Temple. The petitioner also participated in the auction process but was unsuccessful. Having failed in the auction, the petitioner cannot seek a direction to grant him a shop by way of the present writ petition. Accordingly, he prayed for appropriate action.

¶7The learned counsel appearing for the State also confirmed that the land comprised in Survey No.49/1 belongs to the Temple, whereas Survey No. 49/3 is a pathway leading to the Temple.

¶8Admittedly, the petitioner participated in the public auction conducted by the Temple for the allotment of temporary shops and was unsuccessful. It is also not in dispute that the temporary shops are allotted only through the auction process. Therefore, the petitioner has no vested right to seek allotment of a temporary shop dehors the auction process. In such circumstances, no direction, as sought for by the petitioner, can be issued. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed. No costs.

08.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes PKN To

1.The District Collector / Inspector of Panchayats, Pudukkottai,

2.The District Revenue Officer, Pudukkottai,

3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.

4.The Tahsildar, Ponnamaravathy,

5.The Block Development Officer, Ponnamaravathy,

6.The Special Officer / Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat), Koppanapatti Village Panchayat, Ponnamaravathy,

7.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Konnaiyar Muthumariyamman Temple, Ponnamaravathy,

M.DHANDAPANI

,J.

PKN DATED : 08.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 08.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Subramanian ... Petitioner(s) vs. 1.The District Collector / Inspector of Panchayats, Pudukkottai, 2.The District Revenue Officer, Pudukkottai, 3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District. 4.The Tahsildar, Ponnamaravathy, 5.The Block Development Officer, Ponnamaravathy, 6.The Special Officer / Block Development Officer (Village Panchayat), Koppanapatti Village Panchayat, Ponnamaravathy, 7.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Konnaiyar Muthumariyamman Temple, Ponnamaravathy, ... Respondent(s) PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to consider the petitioners representation dated 05.06.2026 and consequentially direct the 1st respondent to issue tender notification by the 6th respondent for the temporary shops establish during the punguni peruvizha held at Konnaiyur Muthumariamman Temple, Konnaiyur, Ponnamaravathi Taluk, Pudukottai District in Survey No.49/1, 49/3 within the time frame stipulated by this Honble Court and pass such further or other orders as this Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and thus render justice. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Senthil Kumar For R1 to R4 : Mr.M.Mahaboob Athiff, Counsel for State For R5 & R6 : Ms.K.R.Shivashankari, Counsel for State For R7 : Mr.G.Mathavan, Standing Counsel