BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 18.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY A.Ganesan ...Petitioner vs.

1. The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

3. The Tahsildar, Alangudi, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukottai District.

4. The Village Administrative Officer, Keeramangalam North village, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai district.

5. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Alangudi, Pudukkottai District.

6. The Inspector of Police, Keeramangalam Police station, Keeramangalam, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

7. Valapadi Chelladurai ...Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 4 herein to take appropriate action to keep open the temple namely Arulmigu Sri Pattavaya Kombubukara Swamy, situated at Keeramangalam North Village, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District, for conducting regular Poojas and worshiping of all the villagers after removing the unlawful Inscription (Kalvettu) name board put by the 7th respondent Thanan Karai representative alone, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 09.10.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Saravanan For Respondents : Mr.C.Satheesh, Government Advocate for R1 to R4 Mr.A.Albert James, Government Advocate (Crl. Side)

for R5 and R6

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed to direct the respondents 1 to 4 to take appropriate action to keep open the Arulmigu Sri Pattavaya Kombubukara Swamy temple situated at Keeramangalam North Village, Alangudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District, for conducting regular Poojas and worshiping, after removing the unlawful Inscription (Kalvettu) name board put by the 7th respondent Thanan Karai, representative alone, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 09.10.2025.

2. When the matter came up for hearing on 28.01.2026, this Court passed the following order:-

"...

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the subject Temple has been kept closed due to disputes among the four Karai groups in the village with regard to the administration of the Temple. He would further submit that owing to ego clashes among the four Karai people, the seventh respondent, who is the representative of Thanan Karai, has unlawfully installed an inscription (Kalvettu) name board in the Temple. In this regard, the petitioner made a representation to the official respondents on 09.10.2025. However, no action has been taken till date.

Hence, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition.

3. The learned Government Advocate appearing for respondent Nos.1 to 4 would submit that the issues arise out of disputes among the four Karai groups regarding the administration of the Temple.

4. In such circumstances, in order to resolve the issue, it is made clear that if the disputes among the four groups are sorted out, the Temple shall remain open. It is further clarified that apart from the members of the four Karai groups, any other villagers are also entitled to worship in the Temple without any hindrance. Therefore, putting up the names of all the four Karai groups in the Temple, after ensuring the four Karai are in existence as on date, including the petitioner herein, respondent Nos.1 to 4 are directed to do the same. The entire process shall be completed within a period of three weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Once if the extent of four Karai groups is ensured, the respondents are directed to open the temple for doing poojas and other rituals.

5. Registry is directed to post the matter “For Reporting Compliance” on 16.02.2026.

3. Once again, when the matter was taken up for hearing on

16.02.2026, this Court passed the following order:-

"The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 would submit that the petitioner is not willing to install the board next to the board, which is already installed.

2. The learn