Revenue authorities cannot resolve inter se temple worship disputes; parties must approach civil court.

The present writ petition has been filed challenging the proceedings of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Udaiyarpalayam, dated 30.12.2025.

2. The grievance of the writ petitioner is that a temple constructed in a Government poramboke land was not removed despite complaint as well as the directions issued by the Court. The Revenue Divisional Officer instead of initiating encroachment action for removal of encroachments has granted permission to open the temple and allowed the devotees to worship. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.

3. Learned Additional Government Pleader would submit that it is an inter se dispute between two groups mainly between poojaries and therefore, the revenue authorities have relegated the parties to approach the civil Court for resolving the issues relating to worship in the temple. In this regard, earlier, a writ petition was filed and a contempt petition No.2080 of 2025 was also filed. This Court, in the order passed in the contempt petition, held that the persons, who claim to be the poojari of the temple, are at liberty to approach the civil Court for appropriate relief for declaring the rights over the temple. Considering the overall situation as well as the inter se dispute between two poojaries, the Revenue Divisional Officer, Udayarpalayam, in the impugned proceedings dated 30.12.2025 held that the right to relief in respect of worship in the temple may be obtained from the civil Court and the revenue authorities have to ensure that no law and order situation arises. Since the parties have been relegated to approach the civil Court, the present writ petition is unnecessary.