vacation bench comprising justices GK Ilanthiraiyan and K Rajasekhar further directed the Tenkasi collector to conduct an inquiry regarding the alleged damage caused to the rock-cut idols in the area.

[16/05, 07:57] sekarreporter1: https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2026/May/15/protect-carvings-during-development-works-at-courtallam-main-falls-madras-hc
[16/05, 07:57] sekarreporter1: TNIE Logo white
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Tamil Nadu
Protect carvings during development works at Courtallam Main Falls: Madras HC
Another counsel representing the town panchayat also reiterated the stand of the collector, citing an inspection conducted by the archeology department officials on May 6.
Madurai bench of Madras High Court
Madurai bench of the Madras High Court.File Photo | Express
Express News Service
Updated on:
15 May 2026, 8:18 am
2 min read
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MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Thursday directed the officials of the Tenkasi water resources development department and the Courtallam town panchayat to carry out the development works at Courtallam Main Falls in the presence of officials of the state archeology department to ensure the rock-cut idols and carvings are not damaged by the workers.

A vacation bench comprising justices GK Ilanthiraiyan and K Rajasekhar further directed the Tenkasi collector to conduct an inquiry regarding the alleged damage caused to the rock-cut idols in the area.

The town panchayat officials were further directed to ensure proper maintenance and development of public facilities during the Courtallam season by completing the development works within the stipulated period to protect the economic interests of local communities and persons dependent on seasonal tourism.

The directions were issued on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Rama Ravikumar of Madurai, seeking legal action against all persons responsible for the damage, destruction and removal of ancient rock cut idols at Courtallam Main Falls, along with restoration or reinstallation of the damaged idols in their original place of consecration.

The New Indian Express

00:00 / 04:21

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He alleged that though both the temple and the falls date back to the eighth century, the works were being carried out by unskilled labourers who have no archeological expertise.

In the previous hearing, the court had ordered the status quo to be maintained in connection with the works. However, when the case was heard on Thursday, the collector filed a status report stating that the idols and sculptures remain intact. The works were being carried out to widen the stand area used by the public for bathing at Courtallam Main Falls. Accordingly, a 75-year-old arch was removed and the stand area was widened from 3.6 metres to 8 m, he said.

Another counsel representing the town panchayat also reiterated the stand of the collector, citing an inspection conducted by the archeology department officials on May 6. However, he also admitted that while digging the surface land, an idol was inadvertently damaged by the workers. Hearing both sides, the judges issued the above directions.

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[16/05, 07:57] Meta AI: *Madras HC: Protect carvings during development works at Courtallam Main Falls*
_Madurai Bench | Justices P. Velmurugan & C. Kumarappan | May 6-7, 2026_

*1. What’s the case*
*PIL by Rama Ravikumar, Madurai*: Filed after visiting Kutralanathaswamy temple, Tenkasi. Found that renovation/development works by Water Resources Department near *Courtallam Main Falls* were damaging _“ancient rock-cut sculptures and stone idols”_. b80d

*Key allegations*:
1. *8th century heritage*: Both temple and falls date back to 8th century. Idols around Main Falls are worshipped by devotees.
2. *Damage by unskilled workers*: _“Development activities… damaged several idols while some others were removed and placed at different spots by workers without any supervision of archaeological experts”_.
3. *Religious violation*: Some idols _“were consecrated and are an integral part of the religious practices attached to the Kutralanathar Swamy temple”_. Removing/damaging them _“infringes on religious rights of devotees”_ and violates _“statutory protections governing ancient monuments and antiquities”_.
4. *Forest Act violation*: Area comes under reserve forest. Works amount to violation of _Indian Forest Act, 1927_.
5. *Misappropriation risk*: _“Removed idols may be misappropriated”_. 2768b80d

*2. Relief sought*
Petitioner asked HC to:
1. Direct authorities to _“ensure protection and preservation of heritage structures and reinstallation of removed idols”_.
2. Take action against those responsible for _“damage, destruction and removal of ancient rock-cut sculptures, idols and heritage structures”_. b80d13e6

*3. Madras HC Order – May 6-7, 2026*
1. *Status quo ordered*: _“Madras high court on Wednesday ordered the status quo on renovation work at the Main Falls of Courtallam”_.
2. *Court observation*: _“Main grievance of the petitioner is that the authorities are damaging the rock-cut idols, sculptures and heritage structures, at the Main Falls”_.
3. *Directions*: Issued notice to authorities. Directed officials to _“file a status report”_ and _“file a counter affidavit in a month”_. b80d2768

*4. Broader context – Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission*
This case comes amid HC’s push for heritage protection:

1. *Jan 29, 2026*: HC _“expressed displeasure over Tamil Nadu government not having constituted a heritage commission”_ despite Oct 2025 order to do it in 4 weeks.
2. *Why it matters*: Court said commission is _“essential to approve civil works in many age-old temples that do not fall under the 1958 and 1966 legislations”_.
3. *March 5, 2026 hearing*: Bench made it clear _“until the Heritage Commission is fully constituted and functional, no civil construction or developmental activity shall be carried out in any archaeologically important temple or heritage structure in Tamil Nadu”_. c9cbbe9d

*Bottom line*: Madurai Bench stopped construction at Courtallam Main Falls on May 6, 2026 after PIL alleged 8th-century rock-cut idols were being damaged by unskilled workers during renovation. Court ordered status quo and sought report. Fits into larger HC drive requiring Heritage Commission approval for any work at ancient temples/structures.

Want the full order or details on what counts as a _“heritage structure”_ under TN law?
[16/05, 07:57] Meta AI: *“Protect carvings during development works at Courtallam Main Falls: Madras HC”*
_New Indian Express | May 15, 2026, 8:18 am | Madurai Bench_
_Vacation bench: Justices G.K. Ilanthiraiyan & K. Rajasekhar_

*1. Latest HC directions – May 15, 2026*
After the May 6 _status quo_ order, HC modified terms and allowed work with safeguards:

1. *Archaeology supervision mandatory*: _“Directed officials of Tenkasi water resources development department and Courtallam town panchayat to carry out development works at Courtallam Main Falls in the presence of officials of the state archaeology department to ensure the rock-cut idols and carvings are not damaged by the workers.”_

2. *Inquiry ordered*: _“Tenkasi collector to conduct an inquiry regarding the alleged damage caused to the rock-cut idols in the area.”_

3. *Seasonal tourism balance*: Town panchayat to _“ensure proper maintenance and development of public facilities during the Courtallam season by completing development works within the stipulated period to protect the economic interests of local communities and persons dependent on seasonal tourism.”_

*2. What changed from May 6 hearing*
*May 6*: HC ordered _status quo_ on all construction after PIL alleged damage to 8th-century idols.

*May 15*: Collector filed status report saying:
1. _“Idols and sculptures remain intact.”_
2. Works were to _“widen the stand area used by public for bathing at Courtallam Main Falls”_.
3. _“75-year-old arch was removed and stand area widened from 3.6 metres to 8 m.”_
4. *Admission*: _“While digging the surface land, an idol was inadvertently damaged by the workers”_, as per town panchayat counsel citing May 6 archaeology dept inspection.

*3. PIL background – Rama Ravikumar, Madurai*
1. *Heritage claim*: Temple and falls date to _“eighth century”_. Rock-cut idols worshipped by devotees.
2. *Complaint*: _“Works being carried out by unskilled labourers who have no archeological expertise”_. Risk of misappropriation of removed idols.
3. *Relief sought*: Legal action against persons responsible for _“damage, destruction and removal of ancient rock cut idols”_ + _“restoration or reinstallation of damaged idols in their original place of consecration”_.

*4. Court’s approach*
HC didn’t stop development completely. Instead it balanced:
1. *Heritage protection*: Archaeology dept must be present during works.
2. *Public interest*: Allowed widening of bathing area for Courtallam season, noting local economy depends on tourism.
3. *Accountability*: Collector inquiry into damage already caused.

*Bottom line*: After initially halting work on May 6, Madras HC on May 15 allowed Courtallam Main Falls development to continue, but only with archaeology dept officials present to protect 8th-century rock-cut carvings. Tenkasi Collector must probe damage, including one idol admittedly broken by workers. Works must finish on time for tourist season.

Want details on what powers the TN Heritage Commission will have once constituted?