A.Ganesan v. The District Collector

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents 1 to 4 to take appropriate action to keep open the Arulmigu Sri Pattavaya Kombubukara Swamy temple situated at Keeramangalam North Village, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District, for conducting regular Poojas and worshiping, after removing the unlawful Inscription (Kalvettu) name board put by the 7th respondent Thanan Karai, representative alone, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 09.10.2025.

¶2When the matter came up for hearing on 28.01.2026, this Court passed the following order:- "...

¶2The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the subject Temple has been kept closed due to disputes among the four Karai groups in the village with regard to the administration of the Temple. He would further submit that owing to ego clashes among the four Karai people, the seventh respondent, who is the representative of Thanan Karai, has unlawfully installed an inscription (Kalvettu) name board in the Temple. In this regard, the petitioner made a representation to the official respondents on 09.10.2025. However, no action has been taken till date. Hence, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition.

¶3The learned Government Advocate appearing for respondent Nos.1 to 4 would submit that the issues arise out of disputes among the four Karai groups regarding the administration of the Temple.

¶4In such circumstances, in order to resolve the issue, it is made clear that if the disputes among the four groups are sorted out, the Temple shall remain open. It is further clarified that apart from the members of the four Karai groups, any other villagers are also entitled to worship in the Temple without any hindrance. Therefore, putting up the names of all the four Karai groups in the Temple, after ensuring the four Karai are in existence as on date, including the petitioner herein, respondent Nos.1 to 4 are directed to do the same. The entire process shall be completed within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Once if the extent of four Karai groups is ensured, the respondents are directed to open the temple for doing poojas and other rituals.

¶5Registry is directed to post the matter "For Reporting Compliance" on 16.02.2026."

¶3Once again, when the matter was taken up for hearing on

16.02.2026, this Court passed the following order:- "The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 would submit that the petitioner is not willing to install the board next to the board, which is already installed.

¶2The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that there is no such objection from the side of the petitioner and the petitioner is ready and willing to install the board next to the board already installed.

¶3Under such circumstances, the petitioner is directed to install the board today i.e., 16.02.2026 or tomorrow i.e.,

17.02.2026 and report before this Court on 18.02.2026.

4.Regarding the other karais, they can install the board whenever they are interested.

¶5Post on 18.02.2026."

¶4Today, Mrs.R.Karthika, learned counsel who proposes to file an impleading petition on behalf of 'Thanan Karai' to whom inscription was already engraved in the wall claims that they are the first karai and the petitioner belongs to the second karai namely 'Sivanthan Karai'.

¶5Per contra, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that 'Sivanthan Karai' is the first karai.

¶6If such is the case, the issue cannot be decided by this Court and it can only be decided by the Civil Court. It is pertinent to mention here that on earlier occasions, it was informed to this Court that there are four karais. However, today, it is brought to the knowledge of this Court that there are only two karais and all other karais are sub karais. Since different submissions are made from time to time, this Court does not find it appropriate to interfere and pass orders in this matter. As stated above, the parties have to approach the Civil Court and establish as to who is the first karai and who is the second karai. As on date, there exists one inscription, which is already engraved in the temple. Let the same not be disturbed. Inscription of any other karais is injuncted until the final outcome of the suit, if any, to be filed by the petitioner before the Civil court. The Authorities concerned are directed to see that no further inscription is made in the subject temple in the meantime. Further, the Authorities are directed to keep the temple open and all the karais shall join together and conduct kumbabishegam, festivals and rituals on day to day basis or on weekly basis, whichever is convenient to them.

¶7Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

18.02.2026 Speaking / Non-speaking order Index : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No mbi To

¶1The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

¶2The Revenue Divisional Officer, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

¶3The Tahsildar, Alangudi, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukottai District.

¶4The Village Administrative Officer, Keeramangalam North village, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai district.

¶5The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Alangudi, Pudukkottai District.

¶6The Inspector of Police, Keeramangalam Police station, Keeramangalam, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

KRISHNAN RAMASAMY, J. mbi

18.02.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 18.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY A.Ganesan ...Petitioner vs. 1. The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai. 2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai. 3. The Tahsildar, Alangudi, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukottai District. 4. The Village Administrative Officer, Keeramangalam North village, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai district. 5. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Alangudi, Pudukkottai District. 6. The Inspector of Police, Keeramangalam Police station, Keeramangalam, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District. 7. Valapadi Chelladurai ...Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 4 herein to take appropriate action to keep open the temple namely Arulmigu Sri Pattavaya Kombubukara Swamy, situated at Keeramangalam North Village, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District, for conducting regular Poojas and worshiping of all the villagers after removing the unlawful Inscription (Kalvettu) name board put by the 7th respondent Thanan Karai representative alone, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 09.10.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.A.Saravanan For Respondents : Mr.C.Satheesh, Government Advocate for R1 to R4 Mr.A.Albert James, Government Advocate (Crl. Side) for R5 and R6