Temple No demolition shall be made from today i.e., 20.02.2026 from 1.50 p.m. and till the matter is taken up for arguments on 23.02.2026.

[21/02, 08:07] sekarreporter1: IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 20-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY
W.P. No.7029 of 2026 and
W.M.P. Nos.7658 and 7659 of 2026
Chandrasekaran Kaliyannan
118, Mulakadu,
Echampatti, Ammapalayam,
Perambalur 621 101
..Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Commissioner
Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034.
2. The Joint Commissioner (Thiruppani)
Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and
Charitable endowment, Nungambakakm,
Chennai 600 034
3. The Chief Engineer,
Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable endowment, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 034.
4. The Executive Officer,
Arulmighu Ponkaliamman Temple, Kumaramangalam, Namakkal-637 205.
5. The Fit Person,
Arulmighu Ponkaliamman Temple, Kumaramangalam, Namakkal-637 205.
6. The Director General
Archaeological Survey of India,
Dharohar Bhawan, 24 Tilak Marg,
New Delhi 110 001.
7. The Secretary Ministry of Culture,
502 C Wing,shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001
8. The State level Expert Committee
Rep by Assistant commissioner (Thirupani)
O/o the Commissioner,
Uttamar Gandhi Salai,
Nungambakak, Chennai 600 034
..Respondent(s)
PRAYER: To call for the records relating to the impugned Approval dated
05.09.2023 passed by the 8th respondent and quash the same as illegal, or pass
For Petitioner(s): Mr.V.Raghavachari
Senior Counsel
Assisted by Mr.Leeban Arivalagan
For Respondent(s): 1 to 5 Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan Special Government Pleader
ORDER
This matter was originally posted on 24.02.2026. The learned counsel again mentioned the matter by stating that the machineries have been moved to the site and they expected demolition to take place anytime from today. Under the circumstances, the matter is taken up today.
2. Today the arguments started, the learned Senior Counsel and the learned Special Government Pleader made submissions. The arguments could not be concluded even at 1.50 p.m. The Court has to sit in the Division Bench by 2.15 p.m.
3. Therefore, the arguments will be continued on 23.02.2026. No demolition shall be made from today i.e., 20.02.2026 from 1.50 p.m. and till the matter is taken up for arguments on 23.02.2026.
20-02-2026
MKA To:
1.The Commissioner
Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.
2.The Joint Commissioner (Thiruppani)
Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and
Charitable endowment, Nungambakakm,
Chennai-600 034
3.The Chief Engineer,
Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable endowment, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.
4.The Executive Officer, Arulmighu Ponkaliamman Temple, Kumaramangalam, Namakkal-637 205.
5.The Fit Person, Arulmighu Ponkaliamman Temple, Kumaramangalam, Namakkal-637 205.
6.The Director General
Archaeological Survey of India, Dharohar Bhawan, 24 Tilak Marg, New Delhi-110 001.
7.The Secretary
Ministry of Culture,
502 C Wing,shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110 001.
8.The Assistant commissioner (Thirupani)
State level Expert Committee
O/o the Commissioner, Uttamar Gandhi Salai,
Nungambakak, Chennai-600 034.
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY J.
MKA
W.P. No.7029 of 2026
20-02-2026
[21/02, 08:07] Meta AI: திருச்செங்கோடு பொன்காளியம்மன் கோவிலை இடிக்க சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் தடை விதித்துள்ளது. கோவிலின் பழமை மாறாமல் புனரமைப்பு பணிகளை மேற்கொள்வதாக அறநிலையத்துறை தெரிவித்துள்ளது. எனினும், இன்று காலையிலேயே கோவிலின் ஒரு பகுதி இடிக்கப்பட்டதாக புகார் எழுந்துள்ளது. இதனைக் கேட்ட நீதிபதி பரதசக்கரவர்த்தி, “மதியம் 1:50 நிலவரப்படி கோவில் என்ன நிலையில் உள்ளதோ, அதே நிலையில் நீடிக்க வேண்டும். அதற்கு மேல் எந்த பராமரிப்பு பணியும் செய்யக்கூடாது” என கண்டிப்புடன் உத்தரவிட்டார். ¹