Sri-La-Sri Shanmuga Desiga ... vs The State Of Madras Represented By ... on 22 December, 1993
10. The validity of this G.O. No. 3039, (Revenue), dated 4th August, 1956 was challenged in W.P. No. 295 of 1958 S.D.G. Pandara Sannadhi v. State of Madras . It was argued on behalf of the present appellants in that case that the trusteeship of Rajan Kattalai being hereditary in the Head of Dharamapuram Mutt, is a right of property under Article 19(1)(f) of the Constitution, and since Section 64 of the Act empowers the Government to takeaway that right of property in an arbitrary and capricious manner, that provision is constitutionally invalid. The second ground which was urged by the appellant was that the notification was issued without giving an opportunity to the appellant to show cause why the earlier notification should not be extended, and that made the notification invalid. The Division Bench rejected the first contention. In regard to the second contention it held that the proceedings authorised to be taken under Section 64(4) are in the nature of quasi judicial proceedings and so before making an order, the appellant should have been given an opportunity to be heard, for that was the requirement of natural justice. However, since the Division Bench though that the impugned order could last only till 30th September, 1961 a short period after the delivery of the judgment on 11th August, 1961, it would serve no purpose to issue a writ quashing the said order on the ground that the principles of natural justice had not been complied with before passing it. Accordingly it, dismissed the writ petition.