IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 08.01.2026 CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P.No.781 of 2026

1.R.Ramalakshmi

2.S.Shanmugavadivu ... Petitioner Vs

1.The Joint Commissioner, HR & CE, Chennai Region-II, RK Mutt Road, Mylapore, Chennai – 600 028.

2.The Fit Person/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Muthumariamman Temple, Venkatapuram, Ambattur, Chennai – 600 053.

3.S.Sakthivasan 4.S.Venkatesan

5.Mohan ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue writ of mandamus, forbearing the 2^nd respondent from any manner permitting any third party to administer or conduct any festival at Arulmigu Muthumariamman Temple situated at Venkatapuram, Ambattur, Chennai – 600 053 until the disposal of application filed by the petitioners under Section 63(b) dated 13.11.2025 before the 1^st respondent and pass such further or other orders.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Nileshram for M/s.K.M.Vijayan Associates For Respondents : Mr.K.Karthikeyan Government Advocate for R1 & R2

ORDER

This writ petition is filed to forbear the 2^nd respondent, from, in any manner permitting any third party to administer or conduct any festival at Arulmigu Muthumariamman Temple, situated at Venkatapuram, Ambattur, Chennai – 600 053, until the disposal of petitioners application dated 13.11.2025 filed under Section 63(b) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 before the 1^st respondent, and pass such further or other orders.

2. This writ petition is disposed of at the admission stage itself, without issuing notice to the 5^th respondent, in view of the nature of order proposed to be passed.

3. Though it is contended that the temple is a private temple, the learned Counsel, during the course of arguments, submitted that such a claim made in the affidavit is not correct and that the temple is a public temple. 4. The petitioner claims that he is a hereditary trustee and that the official respondents are permitting the 5th respondent to conduct the ‘kumbhabhishekam’.

5. When the matter came up for hearing, Mr.K.Karthikeyan, learned Government Advocate (HR & CE) who took notice for respondents 1 and 2, upon written instructions submitted to him, would submit that the ‘tiruppani’ has already been completed and that the ‘kumbhabhishekham’ is scheduled to be conducted on 28.01.2026, and that it is the fit person who is conducting the ‘kumbhabhishekam’ with the participation of all devotees. The same is recorded.

6. Therefore, the apprehension of the petitioner that the 5th respondent is being permitted to conduct the ‘kumbabishekam’ is unfounded. Recording that the ‘kumbhabhishekham’ is conducted by the fit person and the persons administering the temple, the Writ Petition stands disposed of.

7. Needless to mention that the petitioner has filed an application under Section 63 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 and the 1st respondent shall consider the same as expeditiously as possible.

8. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

08.01.2026

2/2 veda Neutral Citation: Yes/No To

1.The Joint Commissioner, HR & CE, Chennai Region-II, RK Mutt Road, Mylapore, Chennai – 600 028.

2.The Fit Person/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Muthumariamman Temple, Venkatapuram, Ambattur, Chennai – 600 053.

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

veda and W.M.P.No.781 of 2026

08.01.2026