ORDER :

N.ANIL KUMAR, J:

The issue involved in these three cases is closely interlinked and hence they are dealt with together. In order to appreciate the issue involved in these petitions, it is advantageous to set out the facts in detail including the background of facts, which have led to the filing of these petitions. Parties are hereinafter referred to as 'the petitioners' and 'the respondents' according to their status in R.P.No.407/2019 in WP(C) No.40648/2018 unless otherwise stated.

2. W.P(C)No.40648/2018 was filed by one of the devotees of Sree Valayanadu Bhagavathi, the deity of Sree Valayanadu Devaswom, praying for a writ of mandamus directing the Malabar Devaswom Board (2nd respondent in WP(C) No.40648/2018 and 3rd respondent in the review petition) and the Commissioner of Malabar Devaswom Board to conduct a detailed enquiry on Ext.P5 representation addressed to the Hon'ble Minister for Devaswom Board in the matter of gold covering of 'kodimaram' of Sree Valayanadu Devaswom and also to take appropriate legal action against the persons, who are held responsible for divesting of funds and properties of the temple without authority in violation of the provisions of the Madras