IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 25-03-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI and WMP.No.27829 of 2024 M.Pichandi ..Petitioner Vs

1. The Commissioner Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowment Committee, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

2. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowment Committee, No.308, First Floor, Arcaud Road, Kaagidha Patarai, Vellore-632 012

3. The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowment Committee, Vellore-632 012

4. The Chairman of the District Board Of Trustees No.5051, New Street, Arcaud Nagar, Ranipet District

5. C.Velayutham

6. K.Thirunavukarasu

7. T.Mani

8. Papitha Sunil

9. Baskar ..Respondents Prayer; Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records of the Impugned order passed by the 1st respondent in Na.Ka.No.507351/2024/A1 dated 19.7.2024 and quash the same as erroneous and pass orders.

For Petitioner(s): Mr. M.Venkadesh Kumar For Respondent(s): Mr. N.R.R.Arun Natarajan Special Government Pleader

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed to quash the impugned order passed by the first respondent in Na.Ka.No.507351/2024/A1 dated 19.07.2024.

2. The facts of the case are as follows:

The petitioner is the District Trustees Member responsible for selecting trustees of the temple, which is under the control of HR & CE. The second and third respondents along with other officials interfered with the duties of the petitioner and selected the respondents 5 to 9. They have been jointly acting against the law, for which, the petitioner submitted a representation before the respondents. No action has been taken. Hence, a petition was filed and an order was passed directing the first respondent to consider the petitioner’s representation. The first respondent, without perusing the records, pass an impugned order which is contrary to law. Hence, the present writ petition.

3. The learned Government Advoate (HR & CE) submitted that during pendency of the writ petition, the duty period of the seclected trustees has already expired and came to an end on 31.12.2026. Therefore, nothing survives for adjudication in the present writ petition.

4. It is evident from the submission of the learned Government Counsel that the very subject matter of the writ petition, viz., the term of the trustees appointed vide the impugned order, has come to an end during the pendency of the proceedings.

5. once the tenure of the trustees has expired, the cause of action for quashing the impugned order does not survive for adjudication. The writ petition has thus become infructuous.

6. However, this does not foreclose the petitioner’s right to challenge any future illegalities or to seek appropriate remedy if similar actions are repeated.

The petitioner is at liberty to work out his remedy in the manner known to law.

7. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. However, liberty is granted to the petitioner to work out his remedy in the manner known to law, if so advised and if any fresh cause of action arises. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs.

25-03-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No rli To

1. The Commissioner Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowment Committee, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034

2. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowment Committee, No.308, First Floor, Arcaud Road, Kaagidha Patarai, Vellore-632 012

3. The Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowment Committee, Vellore-632 012

4. The Chairman Of The District Board Of Trustees No.5051, New Street, Arcaud Nagar, Ranipet District M.DHANDAPANI, J.

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25-03-2026