Judgment

P.K. Balasubramanyan, J.—1. An extent of 10.38 acres of land, which was government land and situated around four temples, namely, Keelakottai Sri. Vinayagar Temple, Muthampatti Sri Vinayagar Temple, Mottakottai Sri Vinayagar Temple and Mariamman and Bhagavathiamman Temples were set apart by the British Government for the purpose of the use of its income for the poojas and maintenance of the temples. The land was put in the possession of one Veerana Pandaram, who was the poojari. Respondent Nos. 1 to 7 herein, the descendents of Veerana Pandaram filed a petition before the Deputy Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Madurai, under Section 63 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 (hereinafter called the ‘H.R. & C.E. Act’) praying that they may be declared as hereditary trustees cum poojaries of the Mariamman and Bhagavathiamman Temples. This application was made, when after an enquiry, a preliminary report was made by the Special Inspector, to the Assistant Commissioner of H.R. & C.E. Administration Department, Madurai, to the effect that the lands endowed and belonging to the temples, are being enjoyed by the three poojarie