Natural justice principles must be upheld in administrative actions, particularly in temple management disputes.

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed challenging the order passed by the 1^st respondent dated 07.01.2022 appointing the 2^nd respondent as the Fit Person for Arulmighu Brammalingeshwarar and Venugopalaswamy Temples, situated at Kokkarayanpettai Village, Komarapalayam Taluk, Namakkal District.

2. It is stated that the petitioner is the Managing Trustee / Thakkar of the temple. It is the case of the petitioner that he has been administering the temple as the de-facto Managing Trustee with the support of the villagers for several years.

3. While so, it is the grievance of the petitioner that the 1^st respondent, without issuing any prior notice to the petitioner and without affording any opportunity of hearing, passed the impugned order dated 07.01.2022 appointing the 2^nd respondent as the Fit Person for the said temples. Subsequently, the 2^nd respondent also communicated the said appointment to the petitioner on 05.05.2022. Challenging the same on the ground that the impugned action was taken in violation of the principles of natural justice, the present Writ Petition has been filed.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is the Managing Trustee / Thakkar of Arulmigu Mariamman Thirukoil and has also been administering the temples in question as the de-facto administrator appointed by the villagers. He further submitted that without issuing any notice to the petitioner and without conducting any enquiry, the 1^st respondent had abruptly appointed the 2^nd respondent as Fit Person for the temples, which is arbitrary and in gross violation of principles of natural justice.

5. Learned counsel further submitted that during the pendency of the present Writ Petition, the respondents have framed a scheme for the administration of the temples and have called for applications for appointment of Non-Hereditary Trustees for the temples. In view of the subsequent development, the learned counsel submitted that the petitioner may be permitted to work out his remedy in the manner known to law, including by participating in the process initiated pursuant to the scheme.

6. Per contra, learned counsel appearing for the respondents submitted that the appointment of the Fit Person was made in accordance with the provisions governing the administration of temples. He further submitted that a scheme has now been framed for the temples and steps have been initiated for appointment of Non-Hereditary Trustees. In support of his contention, he has placed a proceedings dated 02.03.2026 before this Court. Therefore, the Fit Person will continue only as an interim arrangement till such appointment is made. Therefore, he prayed that this Court may issue appropriate directions in the above regard.

7. Heard the submissions made by learned counsel on either side and perused the materials placed on record.

8. It is not in dispute that during the pendency of the present Writ Petition, a scheme has been framed for the administration of the temples and applications have been invited for appointment of Non-Hereditary Trustees. In view of the said subsequent development, the grievance raised by the petitioner regarding the appointment of the Fit Person does not survive for further adjudication in this Writ Petition.

9. However, considering the submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, the petitioner is at liberty to work out his remedy in the manner known to law, including by participating in the process initiated pursuant to the scheme for appointment of Non-Hereditary Trustees.

10. In the meantime, the 2^nd respondent is directed to take charge of the temple a