mandamus forbearing respondents 1 to 3 from proceeding with the construction of a New Bust Stand adjacent to Shri Ulagalanda Perumal Temple also known as Shiri Thiruvikrasamy Temple, Thirukoilur, Kallakurichi District based on petitioner’s representation dated 11.02.2026, followed by petitioner reminder letter dated 19.05.2026. For Petitioner(s): Mr. B.Manimaran For Respondent(s):Mr. Veerabathran Prasanth.M. Standing Counsel for R1, R4 and R5 Mr. Mohammed Fayaz Ali Government Pleader for R2, R3 and R6 ORDER

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 10.06.2026
CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI,
CHIEF JUSTICE
AND
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN
WP No.21080 of 2026 and WMP N o .22812 of 2026
Viswanathan
S/o.Asokan,
At No.204,Chaitanya Laurels Apartments, 81-83, C.P.Ramasamy Road, Alwarpet, Chennai – 600 018.
Petitioner(s)
Vs
1. The Secretary to Government
Tourism, Culture and Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009.
2. The Secretary of Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009.
3. The Director
Directorate of Municipal Administration,
No.75, Urban Administrative Building, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar,
Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai–600 028.
4. The Commissioner
Hindu Religious and Charitable
Endowments Department
No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034.
5. The Joint Commissioner
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Villupuram.
6. The District Collector Kallakurichi District.
7. The Executive officer
Thirukovilur Trivikrama Swamy Devasthanam
(Shri Ulaganandha Perumal Temple)
Thirukovilur Municipality Kallakurichi District.
8. Srimath Emperumanar Jeeyar Mutt
Rep. by its Jeeyar,
Thiruvengada Ramanujachariyar,
26th Title, Thirukovilur, Kallakurichi District.
Respondent(s)
PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus forbearing respondents 1 to 3 from proceeding with the construction of a New Bust Stand adjacent to Shri Ulagalanda Perumal Temple also known as Shiri Thiruvikrasamy Temple, Thirukoilur, Kallakurichi District based on petitioner’s representation dated 11.02.2026, followed by petitioner reminder letter dated 19.05.2026.
For Petitioner(s): Mr. B.Manimaran
For Respondent(s):Mr. Veerabathran Prasanth.M.
Standing Counsel for R1, R4 and R5 Mr. Mohammed Fayaz Ali Government Pleader for R2, R3 and R6
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Hon’ble Chief Justice)
The present writ petition has been preferred under Article 226 of the Constitution of India in the nature of a public interest litigation seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus to direct respondents 1 to 3 to consider his representation dated 11.02.2026 and reminder dated 19.05.2026 to stop the proposed construction of a new bus stand adjacent to the Shri Ulaganadha Perumal Temple (Shri Trivikramasamy Temple) in Thirukovilur.
2. The petitioner claims that the proposed construction over Survey Numbers 526 and 527 is an unnecessary expenditure of public funds, since a functional bus stand already operates just 400 meters away. It is further alleged by the petitioner that the temple is a listed heritage site, that its properties have been mismanaged or illegally alienated by the administrators in the past, and that any construction within the vicinity violates archaeological protection norms under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
3. We have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the affidavit materials placed on record.
4. At the outset, this Court must register its strong
disapproval for entertaining this public interest litigation, as it is driven purely by individual impression or photographs, without establishing the foundational legal violations. Photographs or bare assertions by a petitioner cannot form the basis for this Court to entertain a public interest litigation or stall developmental work. PILs cannot be reduced to platforms where citizens question municipal planning without showcasing a clear, undeniable infringement of statutory rules. Barring production of photographs, the petitioner has not placed on record any iota of material to substantiate his plea that the bus stand is being constructed within the prohibited area as contemplated under the Act.
5. It is a well-settled principle of administrative law that the executing authorities and administrative experts are the best judges to decide where a bus stop should be established. It is for the Municipal Administration and executive bodies to evaluate public utility, traffic congestion, urban growth, and accessibility. Courts do not sit in appeal over the logistical wisdom of administrative decisions or planning routes unless there is patent illegality or mala fides, neither of which has been established here.
Finding no merit in the contentions raised, the writ petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, interim application stands closed.
(SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI,CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)
10.06.2026
Index : Yes/No
Neutral Citation : Yes/No
sasi
To:
1. The Secretary to Government
Tourism, Culture and Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009.
2. The Secretary of Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009.
3. The Director
Directorate of Municipal Administration,
No.75, Urban Administrative Building, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai–600 028.
4. The Commissioner
Hindu Religious and Charitable
Endowments Department
No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034.
5. The Joint Commissioner
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Villupuram.
6. The District Collector Kallakurichi District.
7. The Executive officer
Thirukovilur Trivikrama Swamy Devasthanam (Shri Ulaganandha Perumal Temple)
Thirukovilur Municipality Kallakurichi District.
THE HON’BLE CHIEF JUSTICE
AND G.ARUL MURUGAN,J.
(sasi)
WP No.21080 of 2026

10.06.2026