There is a temple known as Arulmighu Badrakaliamman Temple in Kollampalayam Road, Erode Town. One K.Annamalai Pillai, P.Gurunatha Pillai, Kuppurathinam Ammal and Rajambal Ammal filed an application in O.A.No.100 of 1962 before the Deputy Commissioner, H.R. & C.E. (Administration) Department, Madras-34, under Sec.63(b) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Reli-giousand Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 (Act XXII of 1959-for short ‘the Act’) praying for a declaration that they had been holding office of the trusteeship of the said temple hereditarily. On enquiry, the Deputy Commissioner, while rejecting the claim of two others, namely, K.Annamalai Pillai and P.Gurunatha Pillai, however, upheld the claim of Kuppurathinam Ammal and Rajambal Ammal and declared them as the hereditary trustees, by his order dated 30.12.1964.

2. Respondent 1-Deputy Commissioner, H.R. & C.E. (Administration) Department, Coimbatore-18 in his proceedings Rc.No.9390/83-A1, dated 27. 1984 however placed Kuppurathinam Ammal under ad-interim suspension, pending enquiry into grave charges and appointed respondent 2-the Executive Officer, Sri Velayuthaswami Temple, Thindalmalai, Erode Taluk, Periyar District as the Fi