BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 03.12.2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY W.P.(MD)No.34926 of 2025 Jeyakumar ... Petitioner Vs

1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Principal Secretary to Government, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR and CE) Department and Department of Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowment, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009.

2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR and CE) Department, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

3. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR and CE) Department, Sampanthar Sannathi Street, Sitharkadu, (Sampantharkulam), Myladuthurai West, Myladuthurai – 609 003, Myladuthurai District.

4. The Executive Officer, (Arulmigu Sri Ezhu Loka Nayaki Amman Tample, Manalur)

Sri Arulmigu Abathaagayaeswarar Temple, Aduthurai Post-612101, (Thiruthenkurankaduthurai), Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk, Thanjavur District.

5. The Inspector of Temples, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR and CE) Department, Kathiramangalam, Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk, Thanjavur District.

6. Kumar

7. Rajangam

8. Latha ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 5 herein to consider and pass appropriate orders on the petitioner's representation dated 29.03.2025 and induct the petitioner as one of the Board of Trustees of (Arulmigu Sri Ezhu Loka Nayaki Amman Temple, Manalur), situated at Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk, Thanjavur District.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Saravanan For Respondents : Mr.K.Balasubramani, Spl. Govt. Pleader for R1 to R3 & R5

O R D E R

This Writ Petition is filed seeking a direction to the respondents 1 to 5 herein to consider and pass appropriate orders on the petitioner's representation dated 29.03.2025 and induct the petitioner as one of the Board of Trustees of (Arulmigu Sri Ezhu Loka Nayaki Amman Temple, Manalur), situated at Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk, Thanjavur District.

2. By consent, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

3. According to the petitioner, the subject temple is under the control of the HR & CE Department, through the official respondents 1 to 5 herein. The petitioner's father namely Kasinanthan was nominated and functioned as a Non Hereditary Trustee of the subject temple, till his demise. After his death, the petitioner, as his legal heirs, is entitled to succeeded to the office as a board of trustee of the subject temple. Hence, on 29.03.2025, the petitioner has made a representation seeking to nominate him as a board of trustee of the subject temple. However, the same was not considered till date. Hence, the petitioner has approached this Court.

4. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that totally three members to be nominated as a board of trustees and as on date, there are two vacancies available.

5. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 and 5 would submit, on instructions, that already election was conducted in the year 2024 for Non-Hereditary Trustees and the tenure of the said Non-Hereditary Trustees is two years. He further submits that the said tenure is going to be expired in the year 2026. Already one year has been passed and therefore, at this stage, the request of the petitioner cannot be considered.

6. Considering the fact that there are two vacancies available, this Court directs the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 29.03.2025 and pass orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, without influencing any of the observations made in this order.

7. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

03.12.2025 Index : Yes/No Neutral Citation: Yes/No vsm To

1. The Principal Secretary to Governme