IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 09.02.2026 CORAM :

THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Mr.D.Elumalai @ Settu Poosari S/o.Dakshinamurthy Chairman Board of Trustees, A/m.Angalaamman Thirukoil, Melmalayanur Taluk, Villupuram District 604 204 .. Petitioner Versus

1. The Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Tourism, Culture and Charitable Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.

2.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Uttamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034.

3.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Villupuram District, Collector Office Campus, Villupuram 605 602.

4.The Assistant Commissioner / Executive Officer, A/m.Angalamman Thirukoil, Melmalayanur Taluk, Villupuram District 604 204. .. Respondent For Petitioner : Mr.V.Srikanth For Respondents : Mr.N.R.R.Arun Nalarajan, Special Government Pleader (HR&CE)

Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for a writ of Mandamus directing the 1^st respondent to pass orders appointing fit person to the 4^th respondent Temple on the basis of the Trust Board Resolution dated 05.02.2026 duly forwarded through proper channel. ORDER The writ petition is filed for Mandamus directing the respondents to appoint the petitioner as a Fit person of Arulmigu Angalamman Thirukoil, Melmalayanur, on the basis of the resolution of the Trust Board dated 05.02.2026 duly forwarded through proper channel.

2. Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and perusing the material records of the case, the grievance of the petitioner is that he is the Chairman of the Trust Board. The present Board has been discharging its duties in the manner known to law. While so, the Maasi Thiruvizha which is the important festival in the Temple is scheduled to commence on 15.02.2026. Under the circumstances, the tenure of the Trust Board expires on the same day. Therefore, the Board of Trustees have passed resolution recommending that the Chairman of the Board of Trustees viz., Mr.D.Elumalai to be continued as the fit person until the newly elected Board assumes office as there should not be any vacant in the meanwhile.

3. Per contra, the learned Special Government Pleader taking notice would submit that no doubt for the conduct of Thiruvizha, until the last date of the Thiruvizha i.e., till 27.02.2026, the present Chairman of the Board of Trustees will be permitted to function as such for the purpose of conducting the festival, since the festival starts on 15.02.2026 and the new board of trustees cannot take charge. But however after the Thiruvizha is over, thereafter if necessary, a fit person in accordance with the rule alone to be appointed and it may not be possible to continue the petitioner as such.

4. Since the above submission satisfies the main purpose of the request that is made, even though it is further contended by the learned counsel for the petitioner that it would only take a few days thereafter and the petitioner himself can be continued, considering the fact that the election schedule is also now being postponed, the said prayer is not acceded to.

5. In view thereof, this Writ Petition is disposed on the following terms:

(i) the submission made on behalf of the respondents that the petitioner as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the other trustees will be allowed to function as such till the Maasi Thiruvizha, is over on

27.02.2026, is recorded.

(ii) No costs.

09.02.2026 sk To

1. The Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Tourism, Culture and Charitable Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai 600 009.

2.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Uttamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034.

3.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Villupuram District, Collector Office Campus, Villupuram 605 602.

4.The Assistant Commissioner / Executive Officer, A/m.Angalamman Thirukoil, Melmal