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Temple order THE HON’BLE DR JUSTICE G. JAYACHANDRAN AND THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE S. SOUNTHAR Writ Petition Nos. 34810/2023 & 11240/2024 and W.M.P.Nos. 34818/2023 & 12334, 12335/2024 W.P.No.34818 of 2023 A.Radhakrishnan ..Petitioner Vs 1. The Secretary to the Government Tourism, Culture and Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai 09. 2. The Secretary to the Government Revenue Department,

by Sekar Reporter · August 1, 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 16-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE DR JUSTICE G. JAYACHANDRAN AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE S. SOUNTHAR Writ Petition Nos. 34810/2023 & 11240/2024 and W.M.P.Nos. 34818/2023 & 12334, 12335/2024 W.P.No.34818 of 2023 A.Radhakrishnan ..Petitioner Vs 1. The Secretary to the Government Tourism, Culture and Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai 09. 2. The Secretary to the Government Revenue Department, Secretariat, Chennai 09 3. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 119 Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai 34 4. The Commissioner of Land Administration Chepauk, Chennai 05 5. The District Collector Thiruvannamalai 6. The Deputy Director Of Town and Country Planning Chepauk, Chennai 05. 7. The Municipal Commissioner Thiruvannamalai Municipality, Thiruvannamalai. 8. The Chairman Board of Trustee Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Thirukoil, Pavazhakundur, Thiruvannamalai 606 601. 9. The Joint Commissioner Cum Executive Officer, Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Thirukoil, Pavazhakundur, Thiruvannamalai 606 601. ..Respondents WP No. 11240 of 2024 T.R.Ramesh ..Petitioner Vs 1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep by its Secretary, Tourism, Culture And Religious Endowment Department, Secretariat, Chennai-09. 2. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Chennai-34. ..Respondents Prayer in W.P.No.34810 of 2023: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking for a Writ of Certiorari, calling for the records pertaining to the order passed by the 1st respondent in G.O. Ms.No. 336 dated 14.09.2023 and quash the same and pass WP No. 11240 of 2024 Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking for a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records relating to G.O.Ms. No.336 Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments (R.E. 4-1) Department dated 14.09.2023, issued by the 1st Respondent herein, quash the same and consequently direct the Respondents to restore the properties and funds misappropriated from Hindu Temples by the 1st and 2nd Respondents herein for any of the purpose set out in the said order, For Petitioner in W.P.No.34810/2023: For Petitioner in W.P.No.11240/2024 : Mr.A.Radhakrishnan, Party-in-person Mr.T.R.Ramesh, Party-in-person For Respondents in both cases: Mr. R.Bharanidharan, Government Advocate (HR & CE) Mr.B.Sivakollapan Government Advocate for R1, R2, R4 & R5 ORDER (Order of the Court was made by Dr.G.Jayachandran J.) In continuation of the order passed by this Court on 09.07.2026, the Secretary, Commercial Taxes, Registration and Religious Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, has issued G.O.(Ms) No.76 dated 16.07.2026, wherein, in exercise of the powers conferred under Sub-section (1) of Section 3, read with Sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission Act, 2012, the Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr.M.Nambirajan. The fourteen members’ consisting the Commission have been named in the said G.O. 2. We direct the Commission to inspect the waiting hall construction currently stayed in the fourth pragaram of the Arunachaleshwarar temple, Thiruvannamalai, as well as the Sadhasivam Cottage in the fifth pragaram on the right of the Ammani Amman Mandapam and file a report by 29.07.2026. 3. (a) The District Collector of Thiruvannamalai, in coordination with the Superintendent of Police, Thiruvannamalai, shall carry out a drive to clear the encroachments along the Girivalapadhai, which is presently infested with makeshift shops and sanyasis, causing hindrance to pilgrims performing the Girivalam. (b) The Police Administration shall also take steps to enumerate the sanyasis around the temple, including Girivalapadhai, so as to prevent miscreants from indulging in illegal activities under the garb of sanyasis. (c) The District Administration is directed to inspect the foothills of the Arunachalleshwarar hills where unauthorised constructions have been noticed. Necessary action be taken to remove any unauthorised constructions put up on Government land or on the land classified as “forest”. An action taken report regarding the above mentioned removal of constructions shall be filed by the District Administration within 30 days from today. 4. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the HR & CE Department has produced the proposed action plan for providing amenities to the pilgrims visiting the temple. 5. We direct the Temple Administration, in consultation with the Heritage Commission, shall proceed and ensure that adequate basic amenities and facilities are provided to visiting pilgrims inside the temple premises and also ensure that the waiting time for darshan is minimized as far as possible. 6. Insofar as putting up constructions outside the temple premises to provide waiting halls and other amenities are concerned, it is noted that in the proposed action plan site is located near East Sannadhi Street, opposite the Rajagopuram. The HR & CE Department shall proceed with the execution of the project after obtaining the opinion of the Heritage Commission and necessary permission from local body. 7. Call the matter on 30.07.2026. (Dr.G.J.,J.) (S.S.,J.) 16-07-2026 rpl 1/2 To 1.The Secretary to the Government Tourism, Culture and Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai 09. 2.The Secretary to the Government Revenue Department, Secretariat, Chennai 09 3.The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 119 Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai 34. 4.The Commissioner of Land Administration Chepauk, Chennai 05 5.The District Collector Thiruvannamalai 6.The Deputy Director Of Town and Country Planning Chepauk, Chennai 05. 7.The Municipal Commissioner Thiruvannamalai Municipality, Thiruvannamalai. 8.The Chairman Board of Trustee Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Thirukoil, Pavazhakundur, Thiruvannamalai 606 601. 9.The Joint Commissioner Cum Executive Officer, Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Thirukoil, Pavazhakundur, Thiruvannamalai 606 601. DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN J. and S.SOUNTHAR J. rpl Writ Petition Nos. 34810/2023 & 11240/2024 and W.M.P.Nos. 34818/2023 & 12334, 12335/2024 16-07-2026