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WP No. 3692 of 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 04-02-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY

W.P.No. 3692 of 2026

K.Nallathambi

Chairman, Temple Committee,

Arulmigu Annammar Temple Trust,

Kottavarudhampatti Village,

Sangagiri Taluk,

Salem District. ..Petitioner

Vs

1. The Joint Commissioner,

Hindu Religious and Charitable &

Endowment (HR & CE),

Kariaperumal Karadu Road,

Salem – 636 001.

Salem District.

2. The Assistant Commissioner,

Hindu Religious and Charitable &

Endowment (HR & CE),

Kariaperumal Karadu Road,

Salem – 636 001.

Salem District.

3. The Fit Person / Executive Officer,

Arulmigu Annammar Swamy Temple

Kottavarudhampatti Village,

at O/o. Arulmigu Someswarer and Chennakesava

Perumal Temple, Sangagiri 636 601,

Sangagiri Taluk,

Salem District.

..Respondents

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the

issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the first Respondent to dispose of the

petitioner’s application in O.A.No.07 of 2024 under Section 63(b) of the Hindu

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WP No. 3692 of 2026

Religious and Charitable Endowment Act within a time frame to be stipulated

by this Court.

For Petitioner: Mr.M.R.Jothimanian

For Respondents: Mr.K.Karthikeyan, Government Advocate

ORDER

The writ petition is filed for a mandamus directing the first respondent to

dispose of the petitioner’s application in O.A.No.7 of 2024 under Section 63(b)

of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959,

within the time stipulated by this Court.

2. Upon perusal of the application, the petitioner is praying to recognise

himself as a hereditary trustee.

3. When the matter came up for hearing, the learned Government

Advocate appearing on behalf of the respondents submitted that the Tirupani

and other administration of the temple are going on. This Court is not

commenting upon the same insofar as the disposal of O.A. No. 7 of 2024 is

concerned. The learned Additional Government Pleader further submitted that

the petitioner is claiming on a caste basis.

4. I have considered the submissions made by the learned Additional

Government Pleader.

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WP No. 3692 of 2026

5. It is for the first respondent to dispose of the petitioner’s application

under Section 63(b) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable

Endowments Act, 1959 in the manner known to law. If the claim of the

petitioner cannot be sustained, then appropriate orders have to be passed. In any

event, as the O.A. has been filed and is pending, the first respondent shall

dispose of the same in the manner known to law.

6. In view thereof, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the

first respondent to take up O.A. No. 7 of 2024 for enquiry in the manner known

to law and dispose of the same as expeditiously as possible, in any event not

later than four months from the date of receipt of the web copy of this order,

without waiting for the certified copy of the order. It is needless to mention that

it will be open for the temple authorities to place before the first respondent the

judgments of this Court relating to the fact that caste is not a religious

denomination. No costs.

04-02-2026

Neutral Citation: Yes/No

NSL

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WP No. 3692 of 2026

To

1. The Joint Commissioner,

Hindu Religious and Charitable &

Endowment (HR & CE),

Kariaperumal Karadu Road,

Salem – 636 001.

Salem District.

2. The Assistant Commissioner,

Hindu Religious and Charitable &

Endowment (HR & CE),

Kariaperumal Karadu Road,

Salem – 636 001.

Salem District.

3. The Fit Person / Executive Officer,

Arulmigu Annammar Swamy Temple

Kottavarudhampatti Village,

at O/o. Arulmigu Someswarer and Chennakesava

Perumal Temple, Sangagiri 636 601,

Sangagiri Taluk,

Salem District.

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