High Court · 2025

W.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023 in Rev.Aplw(MD)SR.No.4693 of 2023and W.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 2025BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURTDATED: 09.10.2025CORAM: THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH ANDTHE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPANW.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023inRev.Aplw(MD)SR.No.4693 of 2023andW.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 20251.W.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023:Venkateswara Kudiyiruppor Nala Sangam, Thimmarajapuram, Through its Secretary,C.Ramakrishnan,191 A, Seevalaperi Road,Thimmaraja Puram,Palayamkottai,Tirunelveli District – 627 353.... Petitioner/3rd PartyVs.1.Periyanambi Narashimha Gopalan, S/o.Late.Periyanambi Srinivasachariyar, No.1/7, Sannathi Street, Mannarkovil, Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli District.... 1st Respondent/Writ Petitioner1/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023 in Rev.Aplw(MD)SR.No.4693 of 2023and W.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 20252.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board, No.119, Uttamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai.3.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Chritable Endowments Board, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District.4.The Executive Officer, Arulmighu Venkatachalapathy Temple, Thimmarajapuram, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District.5.The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli.6.The Tasildhar, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District.... RespondentsPRAYER:- Review Petition filed under Order 47 Rule 1 and 2 of C.P.C read with Section 114 of C.P.C as against the order passed in W.P(MD)No.19456 of 2020 dated 24.11.2022 on the file of this Court.For Petitioner : Mr.VR.ShanmuganathanFor Respondents: Mr.J.Ashok (R2 & R3) Additional Government Pleader: Mr.H.Arumugam (R4): Mr.S.P.Maharajan (R5 & R6) Special Government Pleader2/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023 in Rev.Aplw(MD)SR.No.4693 of 2023and W.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 20252.W.P(MD)No.28219 of 2022:Venkateswara Kudiyiruppor Nala Sangam, Thimmarajapuram, Through its Secretary,C.Ramakrishnan,191 A, Seevalaperi Road,Thimmaraja Puram,Palayamkottai,Tirunelveli District – 627 353.... PetitionerVs.1.The State of Tamilnadu, Through its Principal Secretary to Government, Backward Classes Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.2.The Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.3.The Secretary to Government, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowment Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.4.The Commissioner, HR and CE Department, Nungabakkam High Road, Chennai.5.The District Collector, Thirunelveli District, Thirunelveli.3/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023 in Rev.Aplw(MD)SR.No.4693 of 2023and W.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 20256.The District Revenue Officer, Thirunelveli.7.The Joint Commissioner, HR and CE (Administration), Thirunelveli.8.The Executive Officer, Arulmighu Venkatachalapathy Thirukoil, Thimmaraja Puram, Palayankottai Taluk, Thirunelveli District.... RespondentsPRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein to allot the lands to the occupants of the lands in S.Nos.161 to 170, Thimmaraja puram village, Palayamkottai Taluk, Thirunelveli District and mutate to the revenue records in their respective names and issue individual pattas to them.For Petitioner : Mr.VR.ShanmuganathanFor Respondents: Mr.J.Ashok (R1 to R7) Additional Government Pleader: Mr.H.Arumugam (R8)3.W.P(MD)No.25270 of 2025:Venkateswara Kudiyiruppor Nala Sangam, Thimmarajapuram, Through its President,191 A, Seevalaperi Road,Thimmaraja Puram, Palayamkottai,Tirunelveli District – 627 353.... Petitioner4/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023 in Rev.Aplw(MD)SR.No.4693 of 2023and W.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 2025Vs.1.The State of Tamilnadu, Through its Principal Secretary to Government, Backward Classes Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.2.The Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.3.The Secretary to Government, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowment Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.4.The Commissioner, HR and CE Department, Nungabakkam High Road, Chennai.5.The District Collector, Thirunelveli District, Thirunelveli.6.The District Revenue Officer, Thirunelveli.7.The Joint Commissioner, HR and CE (Administration), Thirunelveli.8.The Executive Officer, Arulmighu Venkatachalapathy Thirukoil, Thimmaraja Puram, Palayankottai Taluk, Thirunelveli District.5/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023 in Rev.Aplw(MD)SR.No.4693 of 2023and W.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 20259.Ramesh, Executive Officer, Arulmighu Venkatachalapathy Thirukoil, Thimmaraja Puram, Palayankottai Taluk, Thirunelveli District.... RespondentsPRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1, 2, 5 and 6 to initiate fresh acquisition proceedings for the lands in S.Nos.161 to 171, situated at Thimmaraja Puram Village, Palayam Kottai Taluk, Thirunelveli District belonging the 8th respondent temple pursuant to the earlier acquisition proceedings in G.O.R.No.591, Social Welfare, dated 02.04.1969 published Gazette Notification dated 14.05.1969 that got lapsed in Memo No.55698/BC.1/72-8, Social Welfare, dated 20.09.1973 published in Gazette Notification dated 24.10.1973 for allotting the same to the occupants and consequently, direct the respondents to forbear from interfering with the possession and enjoyment of the occupants until such land acquisition proceedings are completed.For Petitioner : Mr.VR.ShanmuganathanFor Respondents: Mr.S.P.Maharajan (R1, R2, R5 & R6) Additional Government Pleader: Mr.J.Ashok (R3, R4 & R7) Additional Government Pleader6/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023 in Rev.Aplw(MD)SR.No.4693 of 2023and W.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 2025COMMON ORDER (Order of the Court was made by DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J.)We have heard Mr.VR.Shanmuganathan, learned counsel for the petitioner.2.The petitioner is the Venkateswara Kudiyiruppor Nala Sangam ('sangam'). The sangam comprises 680 households situated in Survey Nos.161 to 170, Thimmarajapuram Village, Palayankottai, Thirunelveli District ('property/property in question).3.The genesis of the matter is a Public Interest Litigation filed by Periyanambi Narasimha Gopalan in W.P(MD)No.19456 of 2020, wherein he sought a Mandamus, directing the respondents to remove encroachments from lands belonging to Arulmighu Venkatachalapathy Temple ('Temple'), specifically identifying Survey Nos.161 to 166, 168 to 170, 390/1 and 390/3, together admeasuring 35.98 acres in Thimmarajapuram Village, Palayankottai, Thirunelveli District. That Public Interest Litigation was disposed on 24.11.2022, directing the authorities to identify the encroachers and take appropriate action under 7/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023 in Rev.Aplw(MD)SR.No.4693 of 2023and W.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 2025Section 78 of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959, within a period of twelve weeks.4.The sangam has filed an application seeking third party review of that order on the ground that the order has been passed behind its back. 5.We do not believe it necessary to consider the review in light of the two Writ Petitions viz., W.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 and 25270 of 2025, filed by the very same sangam seeking protection of their occupancy of their properties in Survey Nos.161 to 171. Further, the direction in the PIL was to take appropriate action only after following proper procedure and hence, we do not believe that the sangam in prejudiced in any way by order 24.11.2022. 6.For the aforesaid reasons, WMP(MD)No.1550 of 2023 seeking leave is dismissed. Consequently, Review Application is dismissed at the SR stage itself.7.As far as W.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 2025 are concerned, Mr.VR.Shanmuganthan, learned counsel for petitioner seeks a 8/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023 in Rev.Aplw(MD)SR.No.4693 of 2023and W.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 2025short accommodation to obtain instructions.8.Acceding to the request, the matter is adjourned to 22.10.2025.9.The respondents shall furnish the accurate extent of the property occupied by the members of the Petitioner sangam.[A.S.M.J.,] & [C.K.J.,] 09.10.2025Index :Yes/NoInternet:YespsTo1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board, No.119, Uttamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai.2.The Joint Commissioner,Hindu Religious and Chritable Endowments Board, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District.3.The Executive Officer,Arulmighu Venkatachalapathy Temple,Thimmarajapuram, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District.9/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023 in Rev.Aplw(MD)SR.No.4693 of 2023and W.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 20254.The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli.5.The Tasildhar, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District.6.The State of Tamilnadu, Through its Principal Secretary to Government, Backward Classes Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.7.The Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.8.The Secretary to Government, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowment Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.9.The Commissioner, HR and CE Department, Nungabakkam High Road, Chennai.10.The District Collector, Thirunelveli District, Thirunelveli.11.The District Revenue Officer, Thirunelveli.12.The Joint Commissioner, HR and CE (Administration), Thirunelveli.13.The Executive Officer, Arulmighu Venkatachalapathy Thirukoil, Thimmaraja Puram, Palayankottai Taluk, Thirunelveli District.10/11 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023 in Rev.Aplw(MD)SR.No.4693 of 2023and W.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 2025DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J.ANDC.KUMARAPPAN, J.psW.M.P(MD)No.1550 of 2023 inRev.Aplw(MD)SR.No.4693 of 2023andW.P(MD)Nos.28219 of 2022 & 25270 of 202509.10.202511/11