These three writ petitions show the sorry state of affairs in the management of a religious institutions- The trustees of the institution, though expected to conduct themselves in a manner which would command respect from the lay public and the worshippers of the deity, have been quarrelling among themselves in a manner which can only bring disrepute to themselves and to the institution.

2. Sankaralingam Poosari, petitioner in W.P.Nos.678, 732 and one of five petitioners in W.P.No.1700 of 1997 who is one of the nine hereditary trustees of Arulmighu Mariamman Temple at Irakkunagudi Sattur Taluk, Kamarajar District who constituted and Board of Trustees of the Temple, is now past 80 years of age, although he is apparently unwilling to admit that fact, and has chosen to state in the affidavit and other, documents that he is ‘over 70’ years of age.

He, on his own, gave a petition to the Assistant Commissioner on 8.11.1996 stating that his ill-health and physical infirmity which included nervous disability rendered it necessary for him to have assistance for casting his vote at the election to the office of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees Scheduled to be held on 13.1.1997. This