Temple authorities to conclude eviction proceedings under Section 78(2) lawfully after hearing explanations.

(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.)

The petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition seeking a direction to the respondents 1 to 5 to conduct an enquiry and remove the encroachment allegedly made by the seventh respondent in respect of the sixth respondent–Government Temple, situated in Survey No.317/2 and Survey No.49/26 of Chitoor Village, Thottiyam Taluk, Tiruchirappalli District.

2.When the matter is taken up for hearing today, the learned counsel appearing for the sixth respondent/Temple submitted that the Temple administration has already initiated necessary proceedings for eviction and that a notice under Section 78(2) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 has been issued to the seventh respondent.

3.Considering the above submission, the seventh respondent is at liberty to submit an explanation before the authorities concerned. The authorities concerned shall conclude the proceedings, in accordance with law, after taking into consideration the explanation, if any, submitted by the seventh respondent, and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible.

4.With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.