Disputed questions of title, ownership, and possession of immovable property involve factual inquiries that should be adjudicated by a competent civil court rather than through a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution.

2026:MHC:1771 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.05.2026 CORAM THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY W.P.(MD)No.14287 of 2026 and W.M.P.(MD)No.10705 of 2026 Vembayee ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai. 2.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Karur.

3.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Karur, Karur District.

4.The Executive Officer, Arulmighu Agastheeswarar Temple, Thirumukkoodal, Karur District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to forbear the respondents, their men, agents or anybody acting under them from in any manner interfering with the petitioner’s peaceful possession and enjoyment of the property comprised in Survey Nos.960 and 965 situated at Jegadabi Village, Karur Taluk, Karur District, pursuant to Ryotwari Patta granted by the Settlement Tahsildar by order dated 08.05.1967 under the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Minor Inams (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1963, and consequently restrain the respondents from erecting boards or claiming the property as temple land.

For Petitioner :Mr.R.Gunasekaran For R1 to R3 :Mr.D.Gandhiraj Special Government Pleader For R4 :Mr.P.Athimoolapandian *****

O R D E R

The Writ Petition is filed for a Mandamus forbearing the respondents, their men, agents or anybody acting under them from in any manner interfering with the petitioner’s peaceful possession and enjoyment of the property comprised in Survey Nos.960 and 965 situated at Jegadabi Village, Karur Taluk, Karur District, pursuant to the Ryotwari Patta granted by the Settlement Tahsildar by order, dated 08.05.1967 under the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Minor Inams (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1963, and consequently restraining the respondents from erecting boards claiming the property belongs to the temple.

2.When the matter came up for admission, the learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent Temple would dispute the said position with reference to the title as well as the possession and would submit that patta stands in the name of the temple. A copy of the 'A' register is also produced to claim that the name of the temple, namely Arulmighu Thirumukkoodal Agastheeswarar Temple, Karur District, is entered into the 'A' register.

3.When there is a dispute as to the title of the land, this Court cannot decide or restrain the temple authorities from erecting the board etc. If the petitioner claims that she is the owner of the property and is in possession of the property, it will be very well open to the petitioner to approach the competent civil Court as against the Temple and seek for appropriate relief.

4.With the said liberty kept open, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.