Section 78(1) in Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959
(1)Where the Assistant Commissioner having jurisdiction either suo motu or upon a complaint made by the trustee has reason to believe that any person has encroached upon (hereinafter in this section referred to as "encroacher") any land, building, tank, well, spring or water-course or any space wherever situated belonging to the religious institution or endowment (hereinafter referred to as the "property"), he shall report the fact together with relevant particulars to the Joint Commissioner having jurisdiction over the division in which the religious institution or endowment is situated.Explanation. - For the purpose of this section, the expression "encroacher" shall mean any person who unauthorisedly occupies any tank, well, spring or water-course or any property and to include -(a)any person who is in occupation of property without the approval of the competent authority (sanctioning lease or mortgage or licence); and(b)any person who continues to remain in the property after the expiry of termination or cancellation of the lease, mortgage or licence granted to him.
