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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 29977
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, CJ, G.Arul Murugan, J
P.Bhaskar – Appellant
Versus
The Additional Secretary to Government Department of Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments – Respondent
WP No.12656 of 2026|WMP Nos.13818, 13817 and 13815 of 2026
For Petitioner(s): Mr.B.Jagannath
For Respondent(s):Mr. R.Shanmugasundaram Senior Advocate Assisted by Mr. N.R.R.Arun Natarajan Special Government Pleader (HR and CE) and Ms.Shakeenaa.A.G. for R1 to R4
Fit Person appointment is temporary; temple funds require trustee oversight and Act compliance.
Headnote:Under the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, appointment of a Fit Person is a temporary measure pending trustee appointments; petitioner challenged G.O.
(D) No.15 dated 14.01.2026 appointing fifth respondent as Thakkar and sought restraint on temple fixed deposit operations. Court noted notification for trustees issued, applications under scrutiny, with appointments post-elections; dismissed unsubstantiated apprehensions of fund misuse. Main issue: Whether prolonged Fit Person tenure violates Act and permits major fund decisions without trustees. Court held temporary appointment valid as stopgap, no evidence of misuse; directed expedition of trustee process and strict Act compliance for fund use. Writ petition disposed with directions to expedite trustee appointments; no costs; interim applications closed.
| Table of Content |
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| 1. challenges government order appointing fit person. (Para 1) |
| 2. arguments on temporary role and trustee delay. (Para 2 , 3) |
| 3. trustee process ongoing; dismisses fund misuse fears. (Para 4 , 5) |
| 4. expedite trustees; ensure act compliance for funds. (Para 6) |
Seeking quashment of the government order in G.O.(D)
No.15, dated 14.1.2026, issued by the first respondent appointing the fifth respondent as Thakkar/Fit Person and a consequential direction to enjoin the respondents from operating the fixed deposit of the temple, the present writ petition is filed in public interest.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the appointment of Fit Person/Thakkar can only be a stopgap arrangement, whereas the delay in appointment of trustees and continuation of the Fit Person is against the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act. It is further submitted that Fit Person/Thakkar cannot be permitted to take any major policy decision and he cannot be permitted to utilize the temple funds, more particularly the fixed deposit amount, without the resolution of the trust board.
3. Learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of respondent Nos.1 to 4 submitted that notification for filling up the posts of trustees has already been issued and the applications received are being scrutinized and immediately after the ensuing elections, the trustees shall be appointed.
4. Upon hearing learned counsel for the parties, it is apparent that a notification inviting applications for the posts of trustees has already been issued and the applications received are being scrutinized. It is further submitted that immediately after the ensuing elections, the regular trustees shall be appointed.
5. The apprehension of the petitioner is that the fifth respondent/Thakkar may utilize the surplus funds of the temple, including the fixed deposit of around Rs.100 crores, and even alienate the temple properties. Such apprehension, without any material to substantiate the same, cannot be entertained. If there is any violation, the petitioner can draw the attention of the authorities to the same.
6. We dispose of the writ petition with a direction to the respondent authorities to expedite the process of appointment of regular trustees. We make it clear that the respondent authorities shall ensure that the provisions of the Act are strictly adhered to before taking any decision with regard to utilization of the temple funds.
