Madras High Court
D.Viswa vs The Commissioner on 16 March, 2026
Author: D.Bharatha Chakravarthy
Bench: D.Bharatha Chakravarthy
W.P(MD)No. 7152 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH
COURT
DATED :16.03.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE D.BHARATHA
CHAKRAVARTHY
W.P(MD)No. 7152 of 2026
D.Viswa ... Petitioner
Vs
1. The Commissioner,
HR&CE Department,
No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Road,
Nungambakkam,
Chennai - 34.
2. The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer,
Arulmigu Samyapuram Mariamman Temple,
Having Office at HR and CE,
Srinivasan Nagar,
Thiruvanaikovil,
Trichy - 620 005.
3. The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer,
Temple Premises,
Arulmigu Samyapuram Mariamman Temple,
Trichy - 621 112. ... Respondents
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of
India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the
respondents 1 and 3 to initiate appropriate action to bar unregistered
tonsure workers / barbers from committing work at Arulmigu
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W.P(MD)No. 7152 of 2026
Samyapuram Mariamman Temple and not to appoint any new barbers by
considering the petitioner’s representation dated 16.02.2026.
For Petitioner : Mr. B. Janarth Kumar
For R1 & R2 : Mr.M.Sarangan
Additional Government Pleader
For R3 : Mr.V.Chandrasekar
O RDER
The writ petition is filed by the petitioner, who is the secretary of
the Tamil Nadu Temple Devaswom Tonsure Workers Medical Welfare
Association, Mannachanallur, Trichy. The petitioner's request is to
consider its representation dated 16.02.2026, which includes two prayers.
2. Firstly, it is requested not to appoint additional barbers for work
at Arulmigu Samayapuram Mariamman Temple, and secondly, to prevent
unlicensed wayfarers or intruders from performing the said work.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, as of now,
116 persons are duly licensed and are working. There is no need to bring
in additional personnel.
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W.P(MD)No. 7152 of 2026
4. Per contra, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
Temple submits that, due to the large number of devotees coming to the
temple for tonsure-offering. Taking advantage of the crowd, even
unlicensed persons are performing tonsuring. As a result, the temple is
finding it extremely difficult to regulate the activity, especially since it is
also auctioning the tonsure-offered hair. While appropriate steps will be
taken to prevent unlicensed persons from performing tonsure of
devotees, depending on the workload, the temple intends to recruit
additional personnel.
5. I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and
perused the material records of the case.
6. The purpose is twofold. Firstly, the faith of the devotees in
subjecting themselves to tonsure-hair offering should not be hampered in
any manner. Facilities to be made in a well-organised manner, with due
precautions and hygienic conditions maintained. The second objective is
to properly collect the resultant hair, store it, and auction it without
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W.P(MD)No. 7152 of 2026
pilferage by properly segregating it according to quality, thereby realising
income for the temple from the offering.
7. In that regard, when unauthorised persons do the same, it would
be difficult for the temple to collect the offering-hair. Therefore, the
temple shall properly notify the relevant area/space according to its usual
practices and shall install additional signboards and placards to inform
devotees who wish to be tonsured that this can be done within the
permitted precincts of the temple.
8. If any person trespasses into the said precincts, the Temple can
immediately file a complaint with the jurisdictional police, and the
Inspector of Police at Samayapuram Police Station shall consider the
complaint upon receipt and take appropriate steps to address the issue.
They shall also provide protection and ensure that only licensed and duly
recognized workers engage in the tonsuring work.
9. While considering the appointment of additional workers, the
temple authorities shall also take into account the representation of the
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W.P(MD)No. 7152 of 2026
petitioner. It is for the temple to decide based on the demand and the
number of persons required. In any case, if the temple increases its
capacity, keeps its precincts clean and hygienic, and maintains a friendly
atmosphere for devotees, there will be no loss of devotees to
unconnected shops outside the temple's control.
10. If the shops nearby are tenants of the temple and they falsely
claim that the tonsure offering can be made on their premises as well,
then appropriate notice shall be issued to vacate them. If it is a private
shop, they are entitled to offer tonsuring services but cannot claim that it
is an offering to the temple. If any misrepresentation is made by Anu,
appropriate action should be taken by the jurisdictional police upon a
complaint by the temple authorities. In any case, creating awareness
through placards, making announcements, and providing good facilities
will be the better approach.
11. With the above observations and directions, this Writ Petition
is disposed of. No costs.
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W.P(MD)No. 7152 of 2026
NCC : Yes/No 16.03.2026
apd
To
1. The Commissioner,
HR&CE Department,
No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Road,
Nungambakkam,
Chennai - 34.
2. The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer,
Arulmigu Samyapuram Mariamman Temple,
Having Office at HR and CE,
Srinivasan Nagar,
Thiruvanaikovil,
Trichy - 620 005.
3. The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer,
Temple Premises,
Arulmigu Samyapuram Mariamman Temple,
Trichy - 621 112.
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W.P(MD)No. 7152 of 2026
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY.,J.
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