JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 8 to remove the encroachments over the Temple land in Survey No.299/2 at Thanichiyam Village, Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai District and on the abutting National Highway and to hand over the Temple 'land' and 'jewellry' to the custody of the Temple authority of 'Arulmighu Sastha Ayyanar Temple' situated at Ayyankottai Village, Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai District.)

D. Krishnakumar, J.

1. The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 8 to remove the encroachments made in the Temple land in Survey No.299/2 at Thanichiyam Village, Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai District and on the abutting National Highway and to hand over the Temple 'land' and 'jewellery' to the custody of the Temple authority of 'Arulmighu Sastha Ayyanar Temple' situated at Ayyankottai Village, Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai District.

2. According to the petitioner, the land comprised in Survey No.299/2, Thanichiyam Village, Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai District, which is classified as a Temple land, has been encroa