Justice G Jayachandran and Justice KK Ramakrishnan held that the tenants had no right to occupy or damage ancient structures in the temple based on illegal permission granted by the Joint Commissioner.
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 10.02.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G. JAYACHANDRAN
AND
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN
W.P.(MD)No.26210 of 2025
Nagarajan … Petitioner
Vs.
1.The District Collector,
Kanyakumari District, Nagercoil.
2.The Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and
Charitable Endowment Department,
No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai,
Nungampakkam, Chennai-600 034.
3.The Joint Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and
Charitable Endowment Department,
Kanyakumari District,
Office at Suchindram-629 704.
4.The Superintendent of Police,
Indian Archeological Department,
St.George Fort, Chennai-600 009.
5.The Manager,
Arulmigu Kanyakumari Pagavathiammal Thirukovil,
Kanyakumari,
Kanyakumari District.
1/7
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 11/02/2026 07:19:36 pm )
[17/02, 19:42] sekarreporter1: [17/02, 19:41] sekarreporter1: https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/madras-high-court/madras-high-court-hrce-renting-out-ancient-temple-structures-shocking-523489
[17/02, 19:41] sekarreporter1: https://www.livelaw.in/pdf_upload/2026/02/17/nagarajan-v-the-district-collector-and-others-656603.pdf
[17/02, 19:42] Meta AI: சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம், ஒரு பழமையான திருக்கோட்டியூர் நரசிம்ம பெருமாள் கோவிலின் நிர்வாகத்தில் ஊழல் குற்றச்சாட்டுகள் இருப்பதாக கூறி, கோவில் சொத்துக்களை வாடகைக்கு விடுவதற்கு தடை விதித்துள்ளது. கோவில் சொத்துக்களை வாடகைக்கு விடுவதற்கு முன், தமிழ்நாடு அரசின் இந்து சமய அறநிலையத் துறையின் (HR&CE) அனுமதி பெற வேண்டும் என்று நீதிபதிகள் எஸ்.எம். சுப்ரமணியம் மற்றும் முகம்மது ஷஃபிக் கூறினர். ¹ ²
கோவில் நிர்வாகம், கோவில் சொத்துக்களை வாடகைக்கு விடுவதற்கு HR&CE அனுமதி தேவையில்லை என்று வாதிட்டது. ஆனால், நீதிமன்றம் அதை நிராகரித்து, கோவில் பொதுமக்களிடமிருந்து நன்கொடைகளைப் பெறுவதால், அது ஒரு பொது நிறுவனமாக கருதப்படும் என்று கூறியது.
இந்த தீர்ப்பு, கோவில் சொத்துக்களை வாடகைக்கு விடுவதற்கு HR&CE அனுமதி பெற வேண்டியதன் முக்கியத்துவத்தை எடுத்துக்காட்டுகிறது.
கோவில் சொத்துக்களை வாடகைக்கு விடுவதற்கான விதிமுறைகள் குறித்து மேலும் தகவல்கள் தேவையா? அல்லது HR&CE துறையின் பங்கு குறித்து அறிய விரும்புகிறீர்களா?
[17/02, 19:43] Meta AI: The Madras High Court has imposed a restraint on renting out ancient temple structures, citing allegations of corruption in the administration of the Thirukottai Narasimha Perumal Temple.
Justices S.M. Subramaniam and Mohammed Shaffiq directed the temple authorities to obtain prior permission from the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department before leasing out temple properties.
The court rejected the temple administration’s argument that HR&CE permission was not required, stating that the temple is a public institution receiving donations from the public.
The judgment highlights the importance of HR&CE oversight in protecting temple properties.
Do you need more information on temple property leasing regulations or HR&CE’s role?
The Madras High Court has expressed shock over ancient temple properties being let out on rent by officials of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Department without taking steps to protect the structure.
Noting that the Joint Commissioner of the HR & CE was involved in the exploiting of the temple property for financial gain, the bench of Justice G Jayachandran and Justice KK Ramakrishnan held that the tenants had no right to occupy or damage ancient structures in the temple based on illegal permission granted by the Joint Commissioner.
“ We are shocked to see how an ancient structure containing sculptures with excellent artistic work has been let out for rent by the HR & CE Department unmindful of their responsibility to protect the antique structure. Wastage materials, construction materials and other debris are kept inside the mandapam,” the bench said.
The court was hearing a plea seeking to restore the ‘Kanniyambalam’ Kal Mandapam in Arulmighu Bagavathiamman Thirukovil to its original position by removing the structures constructed by the rental shop owners.
The court, upon looking at the pictures, noted that prima facie the shops were put up in the temple mandapam itself. The court had made it clear that no commercial activity could take place inside the temple mandapam.
The court added that allowing the parties to occupy the mandapam even for a day would continue the deterioration of the building. Thus, to arrest further deterioration, the court directed the Joint Commissioner of the HR & CE Department to take necessary assistance from the police and remove the encroachments. The court further directed the joint commissioner to seal the area and file a report along with photographs.
Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. M. Ramu
Counsel for Respondent: Mr. J. Ashok Additional Government Pleader, Mr. R. Shankar Ganesh, Mr. R. Murali, Mr. R. Balakrishnan, Mr. P. T. Ramesh Raja
Case Title: Nagarajan v. The District Collector and Others
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 72
Case No: W.P.(MD)No.26210 of 2025
