Madras High Court
R.Nandhakumar vs The Commissioner on 4 February, 2026
Author: S. M. Subramaniam
Bench: S. M. Subramaniam
WP No. 14159 of 2021
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 04-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S. M. SUBRAMANIAM
AND
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN
WP No. 14159 of 2021
and
W.M.P.No.32024 of 2025
R.Nandhakumar
S/o.Rajagopal, Pasthalapalli village,
Kalingavaram Post, Shoolagiri Taluk, Krishnagiri
District.
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Commissioner
Hindu Religious and charitable Endowments
Department, Government of Tamil Nadu,
119,Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Thousand Lights
West, Nungambakkam, Chennai- 600 034.
2. The Joint Commissioner
Hindu Religious and charitable Endowments
Department, Government of Tamil Nadu,
Thiruvannamalai District.
3. The District Revenue Officer and
Special Officer (Temple Lands)Krishnagiri
District.
4. The Tahsildar
__________
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WP No. 14159 of 2021
Taluk Office, Shoolagiri Taluk, Krishnagiri
District.
5. V.Chalapathi
S/o.T.V.Vasanthiah Residing at
Kudisathanapalli post, Shoolagiri Taluk,
Perigai, Krishnagiri District.
6. V.Chakarabani
S/o.T.V.Vasanthiah Residing at
Kudisathanapalli post, Shoolagiri Taluk,
Perigai, Krishnagiri District.
7. V.Thimmiah
S/o.T.V.Vasanthiah Residing at
Kudisathanapalli post, Shoolagiri Taluk,
Perigai, Krishnagiri District.
8. N.Hemanthkumar
S/o.Narasimmiah Residing at Kudisathanapalli
post, Shoolagiri Taluk, Perigai, Krishnagiri
District.
9. R.Narasimmamoorthy
S/o.Ramachandraiya Residing at
Kudisathanapalli post, Shoolagiri Taluk,
Perigai, Krishnagiri District.
10. T.V.Vasanthiah
S/o.Thimmiah Residing at Kudisathanapalli
post, Shoolagiri Taluk, Perigai, Krishnagiri
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WP No. 14159 of 2021
District.
..Respondent(s)
To direct the respondents 1-4 to conduct an enquiry against the
Respondents 5-10based on petitioners representation dated 08.06.2021 and
restrain the Respondents 5-10 from interfering in the Temple Administration
and remove the encroachments caused by them in the 200 acres of Temple
Land at Kottasathanpalli Village, Perigai, Krishnagiri District.
For Petitioner(s): Mr. Thanga Vadhana Balakrishnan
For Respondent(s): Mr.S.Ravichandran,AGP,
for HR& CE for R1 & R2
Mr.T.Arunkumar,AGP for R3 & R4
Mr.G.M.Ananthakumar
for R5 to R8 and R10
R9-deceased – steps due.
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by C.Kumarappan J.) The present writ petition has been instituted seeking for a direction to the respondents 1 to 4 to conduct an enquiry against the respondents 5 to 10.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the subject property belongs to temple which is falling under the control of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department. The Inspector of HR&CE Department has stated in his written instruction that actions are to be initiated to evict encroachers by invoking Sections 78, 79 and 80 of the HR&CE Act.
3. In view of the above fact, the respondents 1 and 2 are directed to __________ Page3 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 10/02/2026 05:52:29 pm ) WP No. 14159 of 2021 ensure that appropriate proceedings are initiated under the appropriate provisions of the Act for removal of encroachments in respect of the temple property as expeditiously as possible.
4. With the above direction, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
(S.M.S.,J.) (C.K.,J.) 04-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No VSI To
1. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and charitable Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, 119,Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Thousand Lights West, Nungambakkam, Chennai- 600 034.
2. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and charitable Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvannamalai District.
3. The District Revenue Officer and Special Officer (Temple Lands)Krishnagiri District.
4. The Tahsildar Taluk Office, Shoolagiri Taluk, Krishnagiri District.
5. V.Chalapathi S/o.T.V.Vasanthiah Residing at Kudisathanapalli post, Shoolagiri Taluk, Perigai, Krishnagiri District.
6. V.Chakarabani S/o.T.V.Vasanthiah Residing at Kudisathanapalli post, Shoolagiri Taluk, Perigai, Krishnagiri District.
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7. V.Thimmiah S/o.T.V.Vasanthiah Residing at Kudisathanapalli post, Shoolagiri Taluk, Perigai, Krishnagiri District.
8. N.Hemanthkumar S/o.Narasimmiah Residing at Kudisathanapalli post, Shoolagiri Taluk, Perigai, Krishnagiri District.
9. R.Narasimmamoorthy S/o.Ramachandraiya Residing at Kudisathanapalli post, Shoolagiri Taluk, Perigai, Krishnagiri District.
10. T.V.Vasanthiah S/o.Thimmiah Residing at Kudisathanapalli post, Shoolagiri Taluk, Perigai, Krishnagiri District.
__________ Page5 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 10/02/2026 05:52:29 pm ) WP No. 14159 of 2021 S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.
AND C.KUMARAPPAN, J.
VSI WP No. 14159 of 2021 04-02-2026 __________ Page6 of 6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 10/02/2026 05:52:29 pm )