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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Reserved on 01.10.2026 Pronounced on 07.10.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S. M. SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE KRISHNASWAMY GOVINDARAJAN WA Nos. 946 of 2024 and 1914 of 2026 CNR:{HCMA010502512024}

AND CMP Nos. 6768 of 2024 & 17040 of 2026 W.A.No.946 of 2024:

Hereditary Trustee Abhisheka Kattalai and Annadhana Kattalai, Arulmighu Thiyagaraja Swami Temple Trust, Thiruvarur District.

(Impleaded Vide orders in WMP No. 22908/2023 dated 23.08.2023)

..Appellant Vs

1. R. Jayakumar S/o.C.Rathinam, No.13, Kamarajapuram 2nd Street, Pudukottai Town, Pudukottai District.

Now Res. 24, Kamadhenu Nagar, Abirami Nagar Extension, Thirukokarnam Post, Pudukottai Taluk, Pudukottai District.

2. The Additional Chief Secretary Tourism, Cultural and Endowment Department, Secretariat, Chennai.

3. The Principal Secretary Tourism, cultural and Endowment Department, Secretariat, Chennai.

4. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai.

5. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Thanjavur District.

6. The Executive Officer Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple, Thiruvarur District.

..Respondents WA No. 1914 of 2026 :

CNR:{HCMA011216342026}

1. The Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Cultural and Endowment Department, Secretariat, Chennai.

2. The Principal Secretary, Tourism, Cultural and Endowment Department , Secretariat, Chennai.

3. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai.

..Appellants Vs

1. R. Jayakumar S/o.C.Rathinam, No.13, Kamarajapuram 2nd Street, Pudukottai Town, Pudukottai District.

Now Res. 24, Kamadhenu Nagar, Abirami Nagar Extension, Thirukokarnam Post, Pudukottai Taluk, Pudukottai District.

2. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Thanjavur District.

3. The Executive Officer Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple, Thiruvarur District.

4. Hereditary Trustee Abisheka Kattalai and Annadhana Kattalai Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Swami Temple Trust Thiruvarur District (Impleaded vide orders WMP.No.22908/2023, dated 23.08.2023)

..Respondents Prayer in WA No. 946 of 2024: Writ Appeal is filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent, to set aside the order dated 20.02.2024 in WP No. 13671 of 2020 as far as the adverse remarks made against the appellant on the file of this Honble Court Prayer in WA No. 1914 of 2026: Writ Appeal is filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent, to allow the Writ Appeal and thereby set aside the second part of the order dated 20.02.2024 in WP.13671 of 2020 and thus render justice.

For Appellants: Mr.R.Singaravelan, Senior Counsel for Mr.A.R.Nixon in W.A.No.946 of 2024 Mr.R.Bharanidharan Special Government Pleader (HR & CE Department)

in W.A.No.1914 of 2026 For Respondents: Mr.M.Vijaya Mehananth For M/s.C.Chandrapriya For R1 in both the writ appeals Mr.R.Bharanidharan Special Government Pleader (HR & CE Department)

For RR 2 to 6 In WA.No.946 of 2024 Mr.R.Singaravelan for MR.A.R.Nixon For R4 in W.A.No.1914 of 2026

COMMON JUDGMENT

(KRISHNASWAMY GOVINDARAJAN,J.)

Since the issues involved in both cases are one and the same, they are disposed of by way of this common judgment.

2. The unsuccessful respondents in the writ petition No.13671 of 2020 are the appellants herein.

3. The 6th respondent filed W.A. No.946 of 2024 and respondents 1 to 3 filed W.A. No.1914 of 2024 against the order in W.P. No.13671 of 2020. 4. For the sake of convenience, the parties will be referred to as per their rank in the writ petition.

5. The writ petition was filed challenging the order in G.O.(P) No.135, dated 21.10.2009, passed by the first respondent confirming the order in proceedings Se.Mu.Na.Ka.No.28692/2014/L.1, dated 15.10.2015, to quash the same as illegal, and consequently, to reinstate the petitioner as the Executive Officer Grade No.I in the 3rd respondent Department with all benefits and place the petitioner in appropriate seniority on par with similarly p