Shocking That Ancient Temple Structures Are Let Out For Rent By HR&CE Unmindful Of Their Responsibility: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has expressed shock over ancient temple properties being let out on rent by officials of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Department without taking steps to protect the structure. Noting that the Joint Commissioner of the HR & CE was involved in the exploiting of the temple property for financial gain, the bench of Justice G Jayachandran and...
The Madras High Court has expressed shock over ancient temple properties being let out on rent by officials of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Department without taking steps to protect the structure.
Noting that the Joint Commissioner of the HR & CE was involved in the exploiting of the temple property for financial gain, the bench of Justice G Jayachandran and Justice KK Ramakrishnan held that the tenants had no right to occupy or damage ancient structures in the temple based on illegal permission granted by the Joint Commissioner.
“We are shocked to see how an ancient structure containing sculptures with excellent artistic work has been let out for rent by the HR & CE Department unmindful of their responsibility to protect the antique structure. Wastage materials, construction materials and other debris are kept inside the mandapam,” the bench said.
The court was hearing a plea seeking to restore the 'Kanniyambalam' Kal Mandapam in Arulmighu Bagavathiamman Thirukovil to its original position by removing the structures constructed by the rental shop owners.
The court, upon looking at the pictures, noted that prima facie the shops were put up in the temple mandapam itself. The court had made it clear that no commercial activity could take place inside the temple mandapam.
The court added that allowing the parties to occupy the mandapam even for a day would continue the deterioration of the building. Thus, to arrest further deterioration, the court directed the Joint Commissioner of the HR & CE Department to take necessary assistance from the police and remove the encroachments. The court further directed the joint commissioner to seal the area and file a report along with photographs.
Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. M. Ramu
Counsel for Respondent: Mr. J. Ashok Additional Government Pleader, Mr. R. Shankar Ganesh, Mr. R. Murali, Mr. R. Balakrishnan, Mr. P. T. Ramesh Raja
Case Title: Nagarajan v. The District Collector and Others
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 72
Case No: W.P.(MD)No.26210 of 2025