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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 46958
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
D. Bharatha Chakravarthy, J
V. Sankar – Appellant
Versus
Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Sankaranarayanaswamy Temple – Respondent
W.M.P.(MD)No.10806 of 2026
For the Appellants/Petitioners: S. Suresh Manickam
For the Respondents: S. Manohar
A Writ Petition becomes infructuous and is liable to be closed when the core relief sought by the petitioner is no longer applicable or the underlying cause has ceased to exist during the pendency of proceedings.
Headnote:The petitioner sought a Writ of Mandamus under Art. 226 of the Constitution of India to direct the respondent temple authorities to prevent the conduct of a specific ceremony alleged to be in violation of settled Agama practices. Upon hearing the parties, it was brought to the attention of the Court that the relief sought had become moot. The primary issue involved whether the Court should intervene in administrative affairs of a temple regarding religious practices when the underlying cause of action has shifted. Finding that the prayer in the petition had become infructuous, the Court did not adjudicate on the merits of the religious practice. The Writ Petition is closed as infructuous.
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| 1. closure of petition due to the prayer becoming infructuous. (Para 1 , 2) |
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 03.06.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P.(MD)No.10806 of 2026 V.Sankar ... Petitioner Vs The Assistant Commissioner/
Executive Officer, Arulmigu Sankaranarayanaswamy Temple, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi District. ... Respondent Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondent to take action on the representation dated 21.05.2026 seeking to prevent the conduct of the second “Acharya Abhishekam” ceremony in violation of the settled Agama Practice of the respondent temple.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Suresh Manickam For Respondent : Mr.S.Manohar
ORDER
This Writ Petition is filed for a Mandamus to direct the respondent to take action on the representation dated 21.05.2026 seeking to prevent the conduct of the second “Acharya Abhishekam” ceremony in violation of the settled Agama practice of the respondent temple.
2. When the matter came up for hearing, the learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the prayer in the writ petition has since become infructuous.
3. Recording the same, this Writ Petition stands closed. No costs.
Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
