P.Balakrishnan v. The Principal Secretary

O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.] This writ petition has been filed challenging the tender notice dated

24.06.2025.

¶2The main grievance of the petitioner is that the disputed land bearing Survey No.369 situated at Pugalur Village, Karur District, is not just a piece of land, but an important part of the cultural and religious identity of the local community. It is used as a place of worship for 2000 years old hill Temple and later as a place for parking the Temple chariot. However, a tender notice dated 24.06.2025 has been issued for constructing a shopping complex in the said place. Therefore, the petitioner has come up before this Court by way of filing the present Writ Petition.

¶3Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Additional Government Pleader for respondents 1 and 3 to 5 and the learned Additional Advocate General for the second respondent.

¶4On a perusal of the revenue records, particularly the 'A' Register, it is apparent that the subject property is classified as ''Manthai'' and that the property was never allotted either to the Temple or used by the Villagers and the same has been earmarked only for the cultural and other events. Admittedly, it is the property of the Government and the tender process has already commenced and work order has also been issued and the construction is also halfway through. Now, at this stage, the petitioner in the public interest litigation, cannot maintain the writ petition challenging the tender awarded by respondents 1 and 2. We, therefore, do not find any merits and this writ petition stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. [SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, C.J.] [N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.]

30.03.2026 Index : Yes / No NCC : Yes / No smn2

To:

1.The Principal Secretary, (Tender Issued Authority), Secretariat, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Commissioner, (Tender Inviting Authority), No.21, R.S. Road, Velayuthapalayam, Pugalur,

3.The District Collector, Sh-874, First Floor Collector Office, Anbu Nagar, Karur - 639 007.

4.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department, 119, Uthamar Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 003.

5.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, (HR & CE) Department, W.P.(MD),No.32369,of,2025 THE,HON'BLE,CHIEF,JUSTICE and ,N.SATHISH,KUMAR,,,J., smn2 W.P.(MD),No.32369,of,2025

30.03.2026 Page,6,of,6

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 30.03.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.25468, 25470, 27599, 27604 and 27605 of 2025 P.Balakrishnan ... Petitioner -vs- 1.The Principal Secretary, (Tender Issued Authority), Secretariat, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, Chennai - 600 009. 2.The Commissioner, (Tender Inviting Authority), No.21, R.S. Road, Velayuthapalayam, Pugalur, 3.The District Collector, Sh-874, First Floor Collector Office, Anbu Nagar, Karur - 639 007. 4.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department, 119, Uthamar Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 003. 5.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, (HR & CE) Department, ... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of certiorarified mandamus calling for the records pertaining to the issuance of the tender notice by first respondent in Bid Reference No. 319/2025/E1 dated 24.06.2025 and consequently S.No.2 Roc.No. 347/2024/E1 by the second respondent and quash the same as illegal and consequently inviting tender in respect of Survey No.369 constructing shopping complex on R.S.Road and the ''Pugazhi Murugan Temple'' opposite it in Ward No.08 in Pugalur Municipality order passed by the second respondent. For Petitioner : Mrs.V.Jeyarani for Ms.K.Gandhiammal For Respondents : Mr.J.Ashok Additional Government Pleader for R1 and R3 to R5 Mr.Veera.Kathiravan Additional Advocate General Asssited by Mr.K.Balasubramani Standing Counsel for R2