The auction of temple property was rendered invalid due to significant procedural violations under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, emphasizing the need for compliance with statutory mandates to protect temple interests.

JUDGMENT :

ANITA SUMANTH, J.

W.A.Nos.1535 and 1536 of 2014 had been disposed on 23.03.2018. As against the same, R.Subramanian and S.Vaidiyanathan approached the Supreme Court in S.L.P.(C) No.11046 of 2025 and S.L.P.(C) No.21088 of 2025 on the ground that the disposal of the Writ Appeals had been without reference to C.M.P.Nos.16314 of 2018 in W.A.No.1535 of 2014 and C.M.P.Nos.16315 and 16316 of 2018 in W.A.No.1536 of 2014 that had had been pending before the Court at the relevant point in time.

2. The Supreme Court ultimately passed orders on 21.04.2025 and 24.04.2025 in the SLPs, directing the Division Bench of this Court to hear the Miscellaneous Petitions. The Miscellaneous Petitions were heard on 17.06.2025 and the following order was passed:

C.M.P.No.13402 of 2025 has been filed by the present Managing Trustee of the Temple seeking impleadment in C.M.P.No.16315 of 2018 in W.A.No.1536 of 2014. All the respondents as well as other counsel in this batch of petitions would accede to the position that he is a necessary party. Hence and for the reasons set out in the accompanying affidavit, C.M.P.No.13402 of 2025 is ordered.

2.C.M.P.No.16315 of 2018 filed seeking to recall the order dated 23.03.2018 in W.A.No.1536 of 2014 is allowed. As a consequence, order dated 23.03.2018 passed in W.A.No.1536 of 2014 is recalled.

3.C.M.P.Nos. 16314 & 16316 of 2018 are dismissed.

4.Heard in part. List on 23.06.2025 as a first item after admission and miscellaneous work.

5.The complete records in possession of the HR & CE Department in relation to this temple from the year 1994, including the balance sheets will be produced.

3. It is hence that the order passed on 23.03.2018 in W.A.No.1536 of 2014 came to be recalled and the said Writ Appeal came to be listed afresh before us. We have also accepted the plea for impleadment, allowing CMP.No.15993 of 2025 filed by 57 persons, C.M.P.No.15203 of 2025 filed by 32 persons and C.M.P.No.17343 of 2017 filed by 2 persons.

4. We have heard the detailed submissions of Mr.R.Parthasarathy, learned Senior Counsel appearing for Ms.Surasika Parthasarathy, learned counsel for the appellant in W.A.No.1536 of 2014 and R1 in C.M.P.Nos.149 of 2024, 15203, 15876, 10671, 13568 and 15993 of 2025, Mr.NRR. Arun Natarajan, learned Special Government Pleader (HR & CE) for R1 to R4 in W.A.No.1536 of 2014 and R2 to R5 in C.M.P.Nos.149 of 2024, 15203, 15876, 10671, 13568 and 15993 of 2025, Mr.B.Kumar, learned Senior Counsel appearing for Mr.S.T.Bharath Gowtham, learned counsel for R5 in W.A.No.1536 of 2014 and R6 in C.M.P.Nos.149 of 2024, 15203, 15876, 10671, 13568, 15993 of 2025, Mr.A.L.Somayaji, learned Senior Counsel for Mr.T.S.Baskaran, learned counsel for R6 in W.A.No.1536 of 2014 and R7 in C.M.P.Nos.149 of 2024, 15203, 15876, 10671, 13568 and 15993 of 2025, Mr.R.Sankaranarayanan, learned Senior Counsel appearing for Mr.Abhinav Parthasarathy, learned counsel for R7 in W.A.No.1536 of 2014, R8 in C.M.P.Nos.15203, 15876, 10671 and 15993 of 2025, Mr.V.Raghavachari, learned Senior counsel appearing for Mr.R.S.Diwaagar, learned counsel for the petitioner in C.M.P.No.149 of 2024, Mr.A.Velan, learned counsel appearing for Mr.SMA.Jinnah, learned counsel for th