IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 09.01.2026 CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY K.Malarvizhi ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034.

2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam District.

3. The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam District.

4. The Executive Officer, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, Vedaranyam, Vedaranyam Taluk, Nagapattinam District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue writ of mandamus, directing the 2^nd respondent to record the name of the petitioner as a 1^st Karai, Hereditary Trustee of the Arulmigu Mariamman Temple, Panchanathikulam, situated at, Panchanathikulam East Village, Vedaranyam Taluk, Nagapattinam District.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.Kasinatha Bharathi For Respondents : Mr.K.Karthikeyan Government Advocate for R1 to R4

ORDER

The prayer in the writ petition is for issuance of writ of mandamus, directing the 2nd respondent to record the name of the petitioner as a 1^st Karai, Hereditary Trustee of the Arulmigu Mariamman Temple, Panchanathikulam, situated at Panchanathikulam East Village, Vedaranyam Taluk, Nagapattinam District.

2. Upon hearing the learned Counsel for the petitioner and perusing the affidavit and the other material records of the case, it is seen that earlier a writ petition was filed by the hereditary trustee namely Kailasam in W.P.No.25779 of 2016 etc., aggrieved by the appointment of an Executive Officer-cum-Fit Person, the same was negatived. However, liberty was granted to the petitioner to canvass all the points before the Joint Commissioner, HR &

CE Department and workout the remedy in the manner known to law.

3. Accordingly, the petitioner thereafter filed an application under Section 54 of the Tamil Nadu HR and CE Act, to recognise and record his name as a 1^st Karai, hereditary trustee. It is stated that the said application is pending till date.

4. In view thereof, this writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:

(i) The 2^nd respondent shall take up the application filed by the petitioner to record himself as a 1^st Karai, Hereditary Trustee and conduct an enquiry;

(ii) Notice shall be issued to the petitioner, the temple and such other person who may be interested in the matter and an enquiry be conducted and final orders shall be passed in the manner known to law;

(iii) The said orders shall be passed as expeditiously as possible, in any event not later than twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a web copy of the order, without waiting for the certified copy of the order;

(iv) There shall be no order as to costs.

09.01.2026 (2/2) veda Neutral Citation: Yes/No To

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034.

2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam District.

3. The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam District.

4. The Executive Officer, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, Vedaranyam, Vedaranyam Taluk, Nagapattinam District.

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

veda

09.01.2026 (1/2)