Subramanian P v. The Revenue Divisional Officer,

ORDER Mr.S.Venkatesh, Additional Government Pleader, takes notice for the respondents 1 and 2.

¶2This Writ Petition is taken up for final hearing at the time of admission with the consent of the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents 1 and 2 and after dispensing with notice on the respondents 3 and 4, as no adverse orders are proposed to be passed at this stage against them.

¶3The Writ Petition has been filed for a Mandamus to direct the respondents 1 and 2 herein to recover the temple key from the respondents 3 and 4 herein and hand over the same to the petitioner for workshipping and conducting the Temple festival of "Arulmigu Pattavarayan Thirukovil" situated at Veeranam, V.K.Pudur Taluk, Tenkasi District, based on the petitioner's representation dated 21.05.2026.

¶4It is the case of the petitioner that the respondents 3 and 4 had misappropriated a portion of the land belonging to the subject temple in Survey No.145/1, in Veeranam Village, V.K.Pudur Taluk, Tenkasi District, which impelled the petitioner and other members from the same community (Pangalees) to institute O.S.No.382 of 2016 before the Principal District Munsif Court at Tenkasi, wherein a decree has been passed on 16.04.2025.

¶5It is the further case of the petitioner that the petitioner was controlling the subject temple. However, the respondents 3 and 4, taking advantage of the persons dominating the members of the family who offer their worship in the said temple, have taken control of the temple and that they are not allowing the petitioner to conduct the temple festival.

¶6It is submitted that temple festivals are being conducted during March-April of each year (gq;Fdp).

¶7The learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents 1 and 2 submits that the petitioner has to work out the remedy before the Civil Court, as the Revenue authorities have no jurisdiction over the private dispute between the petitioner and the respondents 3 and 4.

¶8I have considered the arguments advanced by the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents 1 and 2.

¶9In my view, the decision taken in the Peace Committee meeting held by the Revenue Authorities is not binding on the parties. At the same time, I see no impediment in directing the second respondent to hold a Peace Committee meeting between the petitioner and the respondents 3 and 4. In case the second respondent is able to broker a peace or a solution between the petitioner and the respondents 3 and 4, he may endeavour to do so. In case he is unable to convince the parties to arrive at a settlement, it is for the petitioner to work out the remedy before the Civil Court.

¶10Considering the fact that the next festival is to be held during March-April 2027, I direct the second respondent to invite the petitioner and the private respondents 3 and 4 for a Peace Committee meeting as expeditiously as possible and endeavour to find a solution to the dispute between them.

¶11This Writ Petition is disposed of, with the above observations. No costs. Index : Yes / No

11.08.2026 Internet : Yes / No apd To

¶1The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District.

2.The Tahsildar, V.K. Pudur Taluk Office, V.K. Pudur, Tenkasi District.

C.SARAVANAN, J.

apd

11.08.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 11.08.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN P.Subramanian ... Petitioner vs. 1.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District. 2.The Tahsildar, V.K. Pudur Taluk Office, V.K. Pudur, Tenkasi District. 3.Muthaiah Asari 4.Kandasamy Asari ...Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st and 2nd Respondents herein to recover the temple key from the 3rd and 4th respondents herein and hand over the same to the petitioner for workshipping and conducting the Temple festival of "Arulmigu Pattavarayan Thirukovil" situated at Veeranam, V.K.Pudur Taluk, Tenkasi District based on the petitioner's representation dated 21.05.2026. For petitioner : Mr.P.Subramanian For R1 & R2 : Mr.S.Venkatesh, Additional Government Pleader *****