G.Deva v. The Commissioner
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 02.07.2026 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN and W.M.P.No.8546 of 2026 G.Deva S/o. N. Gurupadham, C-50, Plaza Manor Flat, No.1, Karumari Amman Koil Street, Vadapalani, Chennai-600 026 Petitioner Vs 1.The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, No.119, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.
2.The Deputy Commissioner/ Executive Officer Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Vadapalani, Chennai-600 026.
3.The Fit Person Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Vadapalani, Chennai-600 026.
Respondents
PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus forbearing the respondents from undertaking or proceeding with any civil works which are not in consonance with Sections 35, 36, 66, and 86 of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 in Arulmigu Vadapalani Andavar Temple, Chennai, including the proposed repair and renovation of Shri Valli Thirumana Mandapam.
For Petitioner:
Mr.Vadiraj Anirudh.S.G.
(Through Video Conferencing) For Respondents:
Mr.P.V.Balasubramainam Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr.D.Yashwanth Rajan Government Counsel for R1 and R3 Mr. N.R.R.Arun Natarajan for R2
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) This writ petition, styled as public interest litigation, has been filed by the petitioner under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a writ of mandamus forbearing the respondents from
undertaking or proceeding with any civil works which are not in consonance with Sections 35, 36, 66 and 86 of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 in Arulmigu Vadapalani Andavar Temple, Chennai, including the proposed repair and renovation of Shri Valli Thirumana Mandapam.
2. The second respondent has filed a counter-affidavit, wherein, it is stated as under:
"8. ..... At present, the Mandapam after renovation will be strictly used as a multipurpose hall for propagation of religious tenets, promotion of fine Arts and functions propagating the Hindu culture and other religious purposes connected with Hindu Religion. ...."
3. Learned Additional Advocate General submitted that, after renovation, the Mandapam will be strictly used as multi-purpose hall for propagation of religious tenets, promotion of fine arts and functions propagating the Hindu culture and other religious purposes connected with Hindu religion only.
4. Recording the submission made by learned Additional Advocate General, the writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no
order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
(SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 02.07.2026 Index :
Yes/No :
Yes/No bbr To:
1.The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, No.119, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.
2.The Deputy Commissioner/ Executive Officer Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Vadapalani, Chennai-600 026.
3.The Fit Person Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Vadapalani, Chennai-600 026.
THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.
bbr 02.07.2026