Selvakumar S v. The Commissioner

ORDER This Writ Petition is disposed of after recording the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the official respondents and after dispensing with notice to the respondents 7 to 9.

¶2This is the second round of litigation in connection with the temple festival in the seventh respondent temple at Radhapuram Taluk in Tirunelveli District for the Kodai festival, which is scheduled to be held between 24.08.2026 and 26.08.2026. The petitioner had earlier approached this Court at the eleventh hour in W.P(MD)No.23151 of 2025, wherein an order came to be passed on 26.08.2025, directing the official respondents 3 and 4 therein to convene a Peace Committee Meeting.

¶3I see no impediment in directing the same respondents 4 and 5 herein to convene a Peace Committee Meeting in connection with the ensuing temple festival, which is scheduled to be held on the aforesaid dates, as expeditiously as possible. Needless to state, in the event that the respondents 7 to 9 seek police protection, the sixth respondent shall provide adequate police protection.

¶4As far as the proposal for taking over the temple pursuant to the notice issued on 27.07.2023, bearing reference Na.Ka.No.367/2023 by the Inspector of HR & CE is concerned, the proceedings are directed to be brought to a final culmination so that finality can be achieved.

¶5The Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

20.08.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No ps Note: Issue Order Copy on 20.08.2026. To

1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

2.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department,

3.The Inspector, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Radhapuram,

4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Cheranmahadevi,

5.The Tahsildar, Radhapuram Taluk,

6.The Inspector of Police, Radhapuram Police Station,

C. SARAVANAN, J. ps

20.08.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.08.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C. SARAVANAN S.Selvakumar ... Petitioner Vs 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034. 2.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 3.The Inspector, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Radhapuram, 4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Cheranmahadevi, 5.The Tahsildar, Radhapuram Taluk, 6.The Inspector of Police, Radhapuram Police Station, 7.Seelathikulam Reddiyar Samudhayam Thennattu Nangai Amman Kovil Charitable Trust, Represented by its President, Seelathikulam Village, Radhapuram Taluk, 8.V.Ramadoss 9.S.Chandrasekar ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to appoint a Fit person or any other competent Officer of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department exclusively to conduct the Kodai Festival of Arulmigu Thennattu Nangai Amman Temple, Seelathikulam Village, Radhapuram Taluk, Tirunelveli District, scheduled to be held on 24.08.2026, 25.08.2026 and 26.08.2026, pending completion of the statutory enquiry initiated pursuant to the show cause notice in Na.Ka.No.367/2023 dated 27.07.2023. For Petitioner : Mr.A.K.H.M.Mohamed Abdul Rasiq For Respondents : Mr.R.Parthiban (R1 to R5) Special Government Pleader : Mr.P.Vetrivel (R6) Government Advocate (Crl. Side)