WP/35203/2024 of A.RADHAKRISHNAN Vs THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT
W.P. No.35203 of 2024
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 24.04.2026
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI
W.P. No.35203 of 2024
and
W.M.P. No.33338 of 2025
A.Radhakrishnan
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Secretary to Government
Public (Special A) Department,
Secretariat,
Chennai-600 009.
2. The Secretary to Government,
Human Resources (Inspection Cell Wing)
Department,
Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.
3. The Secretary to Government,
Revenue Department,
Secretariat,
Chennai 600 009.
4. The Secretary to Government,
Home Department,
Secretarial,
Chennai-600 009.
5. The Secretary to Government,
Tourism Culture And Endowments
Department,
Secretariat,
Chennai-600 009.
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W.P. No.35203 of 2024
6. The Commissioner of Revenue
Administration,
Chepauk,
Chennai-600 005.
7. The Commissioner of Land Administration,
Chepauk,
Chennai-600 005.
8. The Director of Survey and Settlements,
Chepauk,
Chennai-600 005.
9. The Inspector General of Registrations,
100, Santhome High Road,
Chennai-600 028.
10.The Director of Municipal Administration,
Urban Building Complex,
Santhome High Road,
Chennai-600 028.
11.The Commissioner,
Hindu Religious & Charitable
Endowments Department,
119, Nungambakkam High Road,
Chennai-600 034.
12.The Director,
Hindu Charitable Institutions Audit
Department,
Tenampet,
Chennai-600 018.
13.The Additional Director General of Police,
Law And Order,
Kamarajar Salai,
Chennai-600 004.
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W.P. No.35203 of 2024
14.The District Executive Magistrate
Cum District Collector,
Cuddalore.
15.The Additional District Executive Magistrate
Cum District Revenue Officer,
Cuddalore.
16.The Special Tahsildar,
Temple Lands,
Cuddalore.
17.The Superintendent of Police,
Cuddalore.
18.The Inspector of Police,
District Special Branch,
Cuddalore.
19.The Joint Commissioner,
Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments
Department,
Cuddalore.
20.The Assistant Commissioner,
Hindu Religious &
Charitable Endowments Department,
Cuddalore.
21.The Fit Person/Chairman Board of Trustee
Arulmigu Pralaya Kaleswarar Temple,
Pennadam Village,
Thittakuditaluk,
Cuddalore District.
22.The Executive Officer,
Arulmigu Pralaya Kaleswarar Temple,
Pennadam Village,
Thittakuditaluk,
Cuddalore District.
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W.P. No.35203 of 2024
23.The Fit Person/ Chairman Board of Trustee,
Arulmigu Vaidhyanadha Swamy Temple,
Thittakudi Taluk,
Cuddalore District
24.The Executive Officer,
Arulmigu Vaidhyanadha Swamy Temple,
Thittakudi Taluk,
Cuddalore District.
..Respondents
Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for the
issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 11 th respondent to secure and
safeguard the 22nd and 24th respondent temples properties and its administration
by considering petitioner representation dated 09.10.2023
For Petitioner : Mr.A. Radhakrishnan
Party-in-person
For Respondents : Mr.V . Meghanathan
Govt. Advocate (Crl. Side) for
R13, 17 and 18.
Mr.S. Ravichandran
Addl. Govt. Pleader (HR &
CE)
for R11,12, 19, 20
Mr.S. Rajesh
Government Advocate
for R1 to R10, R14 to R16
ORDER
The present writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the 11 th
respondent to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 09.10.2023 and to
take appropriate action for safeguarding the properties and proper
administration of the 22nd and 24th respondent temples.
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W.P. No.35203 of 2024
2. The Party-in-Person, who appeared through video-conferencing has
narrated the case and submitted that the 22 nd and 24 th respondent temples are
under the control and supervision of the 11th respondent Department. He claims
to be an ardent devotee who has been visiting the temples regularly. On such
visits, he noticed several irregularities and illegalities in the administration of
the temples as well as in the management of temple properties.
3. It is further stated that he has been actively involved for more than two
decades in safeguarding temple properties and ensuring proper administration of
temples across the State by bringing irregularities to the notice of the
authorities.
4. While so, upon noticing certain alleged irregularities in the 22 nd and
24th respondent temples, he submitted a detailed representation dated
09.10.2023 to the 11th respondent, requesting the authorities to maintain proper
records relating to temple properties in accordance with the statutory provisions,
Government Orders, circulars, and the law laid down by this Court, particularly
to safeguard the interests of the temples. It is the grievance of the petitioner that
despite the lapse of considerable time, no action has been taken on the said
representation.
5. He drew the attention of this Court to various communications,
including G.O.Ms.No.413, the notice dated 13.06.2017 issued by the 14th
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W.P. No.35203 of 2024
respondent, and subsequent communications of the 5 th and 6 th respondents
dated 13.09.2021, 01.08.2022 and 21.02.2023, clearly mandate the authorities to
safeguard temple properties and ensure proper administration.
6. He further submitted that this Court, in earlier writ petitions in
W.P.Nos.14428 of 2017 and 16833 of 2017, has also issued directions
emphasizing the duty of the authorities to protect temple properties.
7. Despite such clear directions and statutory obligations, the 11th
respondent and other officials have failed to act, resulting in maladministration
and potential loss to temple properties. In such circumstances, this writ petition
has been filed seeking for appropriate directions to the 11 th respondent to
consider the petitioner’s representation within a time frame.
8. Per contra, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for
the 11 th respondent submitted that appropriate action would be taken on the
petitioner’s representation in accordance with law, within a reasonable time.
9. This Court has considered the submissions made by learned counsel on
either side and perused the materials available on record.
10. The grievance of the petitioner is limited to the non-consideration of
the representation dated 09.10.2023. Without going into the merits of the
allegations made by the petitioner, this Court directs 11th respondent to
consider the petitioner’s representation dated 09.10.2023, on its own merits and
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W.P. No.35203 of 2024
in accordance with law, and pass appropriate orders, after affording opportunity
to all necessary parties, if required, within a period of twelve weeks from the
date of receipt of a copy of this order.
11. The writ petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. Consequently,
connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
24.04.2026
Index : Yes / No
Speaking Order / Non-speaking order
Neutral Citation Case : Yes / No
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W.P. No.35203 of 2024
1. The Secretary to Government
Public (Special A) Department,
Secretariat,
Chennai-600 009.
2. The Secretary to Government,
Human Resources (Inspection Cell Wing)
Department,
Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.
3. The Secretary to Government,
Revenue Department,
Secretariat,
Chennai 600 009.
4. The Secretary to Government,
Home Department,
Secretarial,
Chennai-600 009.
5. The Secretary to Government,
Tourism Culture And Endowments
Department,
Secretariat,
Chennai-600 009.
6. The Commissioner of Revenue
Administration,
Chepauk,
Chennai-600 005.
7. The Commissioner of Land Administration,
Chepauk,
Chennai-600 005.
8. The Director of Survey and Settlements,
Chepauk,
Chennai-600 005.
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W.P. No.35203 of 2024
9. The Inspector General of Registrations,
100, Santhome High Road,
Chennai-600 028.
10. The Director of Municipal Administration,
Urban Building Complex,
Santhome High Road,
Chennai-600 028.
11. The Commissioner,
Hindu Religious & Charitable
Endowments Department,
119, Nungambakkam High Road,
Chennai-600 034.
12. The Director,
Hindu Charitable Institutions Audit
Department,
Tenampet,
Chennai-600 018.
13. The Additional Director General of Police,
Law And Order,
Kamarajar Salai,
Chennai-600 004.
14. The District Executive Magistrate
Cum District Collector,
Cuddalore.
15. The Additional District Executive
Magistrate
Cum District Revenue Officer,
Cuddalore.
16. The Special Tahsildar,
Temple Lands,
Cuddalore.
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W.P. No.35203 of 2024
17. The Superintendent of Police,
Cuddalore.
18. The Inspector of Police,
District Special Branch,
Cuddalore.
19. The Joint Commissioner,
Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments
Department,
Cuddalore.
20. The Assistant Commissioner,
Hindu Religious &
Charitable Endowments Department,
Cuddalore.
21. The Fit Person/Chairman Board of Trustee
Arulmigu Pralaya Kaleswarar Temple,
Pennadam Village,
Thittakuditaluk,
Cuddalore District.
22. The Executive Officer,
Arulmigu Pralaya Kaleswarar Temple,
Pennadam Village,
Thittakuditaluk,
Cuddalore District.
23. The Fit Person/ Chairman Board of Trustee,
Arulmigu Vaidhyanadha Swamy Temple,
Thittakudi Taluk,
Cuddalore District
24. The Executive Officer,
Arulmigu Vaidhyanadha Swamy Temple,
Thittakudi Taluk,
Cuddalore District.
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W.P. No.35203 of 2024
M. DHANDAPANI, J.
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W.P. No.35203 of 2024
and
W.M.P. No.33338 of 2025
24.04.2026
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