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Palani temple 10.We are of the view that, before incurring such huge expenditure from temple funds, a proper inspection ought to be conducted by the said Committee.

by Sekar Reporter · Published March 31, 2026 · Updated March 31, 2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

DATED: 27-03-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. SATHISH KUMAR

AND

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN

WP(MD) NO. 8476 of 2026 and

W.M.P(MD)Nos.6868, 6869 & 6869 of 2026

S.Vinoth Ragavendran

Petitioner Vs

1.The State of Tamil Nadu,

Represented by its Secretary,

Tourism, Culture and Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment and Administration Department, Fort St. George, Chennai.

2.The Commissioner,

Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment and Administration Department Uttamar Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 34.

3.The Joint Commissioner,

Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment and Administration Department, Palani, Dindigul District.

4.The Board of Trustees,

Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Palani, Dindigul District.

5.Sri Balaji Associates Private Limited,

No.1387/1, Jeevanandamst, Molokoundarpalayam, Erode 638 004.

6.M/s. Thanya Projects,

No.5, Naiyaker Street,

Kollampalayam, Erode – 638 002.

7.M/s. Alu Structure,

No.14, Banadurai Thirumanjana Street,

Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District.

8.M/s. Pride Constructions,

No.163, Chinnamuthu Main Street, E.K.Valasu,

Erode 638 011.

Respondents For Petitioner:

Mr.N.Suresh

For Respondents:

Mr.J.Ashok (R1 & R2)

Additional Government Pleader

Mr.A.K.Sriram (R3) Senior Counsel for Mr.R.Bharaneedharan Mr.R.Murali

Prayer:

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this

Court to issue a Writ of Certiorari, to call for the entire records pertaining to impugned order in G.O.Ms.No.9 in the Tourism, Culture and Endowment (Anee 5.1) Department dated 07.01.2026 issued by the first respondent and consequential of the impugned Tender Notifications issued by the third respondent in Tender Reference No.4/2025-2026 dated 02.01.2026 with work order in Na.Ka.No.4192/2025/E2 dated 25.02.2026 awarded to the sixth respondent, Tender Reference No.4/2025-2026-2 dated 02.01.2026 with work order in Na.Ka.No.6847/2025/E1 dated 18.02.2026 awarded to the sixth respondent, Tender Reference No.5/2025-2026 dated 24.01.2026 with work order in Na.Ka.No.4560/2024/E2 dated 25.02.2026 awarded to the fifth respondent, Tender Reference No. 6/2025-2026/1 dated 12.02.2026, Tender Reference No.6/2025-2026-2 dated 12.02.2026, Tender Reference No.

7/2025-2026 dated 12.02.2026, Tender Reference No. 8/2025-2026 dated

13.01.2026, e-Tender Notice Nos.9/2025-2026 dated 23.02.2026 and 10/2025-2026 dated 27.02.2026, on the file of the third respondent and to quash the same.

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by N.Sathish Kumar J.)

Mr.J.Ashok, learned Additional Government Pleader, accepts

notice for the respondents 1 and 2. Mr. A.K. Srinivas, learned Senior Counsel, accepts notice for the third respondent.

2.Notice to the respondents 4 to 8 returnable on 08.06.2026.

Private notice is also permitted.

3.The petitioner challenges multiple tenders issued by the HR &

CE Department in respect of Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Palani, involving works valued at approximately Rs. 162.50 crores, including construction, infrastructure, and procurement activities, allegedly without any proper basis or justification.

4.The core grievance of the petitioner is that temple funds are

being utilized for large-scale projects such as demolition and reconstruction of devotees’ rest houses, cafeterias, stadiums, and college infrastructure, without compliance with the statutory provisions of the Tamil Nadu HR & CE Act. It is contended that these proposals did not emanate from the duly constituted Board of Trustees (appointed on 10.01.2025), but from a ministerial announcement, and that no approved budget, as required under Section 86(2) of the Act, is in place.

5.The petitioner further alleges violation of Sections 35, 36, and 86 of the Act, lack of approval by the Board of Trustees, absence of application of mind, and non-disclosure in the temple budget. Procedural irregularities in the tender process, including short notice, lack of transparency, and absence of statutory clearances, are also alleged.

6.Hence, the petitioner seeks the intervention of this Court to

restrain the respondents, contending that, otherwise, a sum of Rs. 162.50 crores of temple funds would be unlawfully and irreversibly expended, causing serious prejudice to the temple and its devotees.

7.The learned counsel for the petitioner further brought to the

notice of this Court that, in respect of Item No. 7 of E-shot Tender Notice No.

8/2025–2026 dated 11.02.2026, a tender has been issued for a sum of Rs. 72,45,29,000/-. According to him, there are no immovable properties available, no particulars are furnished in the tender, and yet such a substantial amount has been sanctioned.

8.Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused

the materials available on record.

9.We are informed that a Committee had earlier been appointed

by this Court, headed by Mr.Justice V.Bharathidasan, a retired Judge of the Madras High Court, as Chairman.

10.We are of the view that, before incurring such huge

expenditure from temple funds, a proper inspection ought to be conducted by the said Committee.

11.In such view of the matter, we request the Committee

appointed by this Court in Cont.P(MD)No.1671 of 2018 to conduct an inspection and file a report indicating whether such expenditure is necessary and whether any additional construction or renovation is warranted.

12.Post the matter on 08.06.2026 for filing of the report.

13.In the meantime, status quo as on date shall be maintained and

no further construction shall be carried out.

(N.SATHISH KUMAR J.) (M.JOTHIRAMAN J.) 27-03-2026

Note: Registry is directed to mark a copy of this order to the Chairman of the Committee.

1.The Secretary,

Represented by the State of Tamil Nadu,

Tourism, Culture and Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment and Administration Department, Fort St. George, Chennai.

2.The Commissioner,

Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment and Administration Department

Uttamar Gandhi Road,

Nungambakkam, Chennai – 34.