Section 24 in Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959
24. [ Power to enter religious institutions. [Substituted by Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1996.]
(1)[The Commissioner or an Additional] or a Joint or a Deputy or an Assistant Commissioner or any officer authorised by the Commissioner or [Additional Commissioner or Joint Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner] [Substituted by section 9(2) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Act, 2002 (Tamil Nadu Act 50 of 2002).], or the Assistant Commissioner in his behalf shall have power to enter the premises of any place of worship for the purpose of exercising any power conferred or discharging any duty imposed by this Act or the rules made thereunder.(2)If any such officer is resisted in the exercise of such power or discharge of such duty, the Magistrate having jurisdiction shall, on a written requisition from such officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector to render such help as may be necessary to enable the officer to exercise such power or discharge such duty.(3)Before entering the sanctum sanctum or pooja gruha or any other portion held specially sacred within the premises of a religious institution or place of worship, the person authorised by or under sub-section (1) or the police officer referred to in sub-section (2), shall give reasonable notice to the trustee or head of the institution and shall have due regard to the religious practice or usage of the institution.(4)Nothing in this section shall be deemed to authorise any person who is not a Hindu to enter the premises or place or any part thereof referred to in this section.(5)If any question arises, whether the religious practice or usage of the institution prohibits entry into the sanctum sanctorum or pooja gruha or any other portion held specially sacred within the premises of a religious institution, or place of worship, by the person or police officer mentioned in sub-section (3), the question shall be referred for the decision of the Commissioner. Before giving any decision on any such question, the Commissioner may make such enquiry as he deems fit.(6)Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Commissioner under sub-section (5), may, within one month from the date of the decision, appeal to the Government:Provided that the Government shall not pass any order prejudicial to any party unless he has had a reasonable opportunity of making his representations.]
