THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE G. R. SWAMINATHAN AND THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN WP No. 20279 of 2026 AND WMP Nos. 21737, 21738 and 21741 of 2026 Shri.K.Balasubramanian, Advocate, No.9,Bungalow Street, Sivanthakulam, Tuticorin-628003 ..Petitioner Vs 1. The State of Tamilnadu, Rep by its Secretary,Department of Tourism,Culture and Religious Endowments, Secretariat,Fort St.George,Chennai-600 009. 2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 119,Uthamar Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam,Chennai 600 034 3. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 21-05-2026
CORAM
THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE G. R. SWAMINATHAN
AND
THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN
WP No. 20279 of 2026
AND WMP Nos. 21737, 21738 and 21741 of 2026
Shri.K.Balasubramanian,
Advocate,
No.9,Bungalow Street,
Sivanthakulam, Tuticorin-628003
..Petitioner
Vs
1. The State of Tamilnadu,
Rep by its Secretary,Department of Tourism,Culture and Religious Endowments, Secretariat,Fort St.George,Chennai-600 009.
2. The Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments
Department,
119,Uthamar Gandhi Road,
Nungambakkam,Chennai 600 034
3. The Joint Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments
Department,
Nagapattinam-611 001
4. The Executive Officer,
Sri.Sowrirajaperumal Temple,
Thirukkannapuram,Nagapattinam district,
Pincode-609704
5. The Fit Person,
Sri Sowrirajaperumal Temple,
Thirukkannapuram,
Nagapattinam District,
Pincode 609704
6. The Superintending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Chennai Circle,Fort St.George,
Chennai-600 009
7. The Deputy Accountant General
(Administration),
O/o.Principal Accountant General (Audit),
Tamilnadu and puducherry,Audit Bhavan,
361,Anna salai,Teynampet,Chennai 600 018
8. The State Level Expert Committee,
Rep by its joint Commissioner (Thiruppani),
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments
Department,(Head Office),119,Uthamar Gandhi
Road,Nungambakkam,Chennai 600 034
..Respondents
Prayer: Writ Petitioner filed under Article 226 of the Constitution forbearing the respondents ,their men,agents,servants,officers or any person acting under or through them from in any manner proceeding with, undertaking,continuing or carrying out any Renovation, reconstruction,alteration,demolition,structural modification or expenditure in respect of Shri Sowriraja perumal Temple, Thirukkannapuram,Nagapattinam District,except in strict compliance with the law relating to the Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission Act 2012 and its requirements and all other statutory procedures governing heritage and temple administration and utilization of temple funds,and in strict compliance with section 86 of the Hindu religious and Charitable Endowments Act,1959 and the applicable Rules,and consequently direct the 7th respondent to conduct a timebound independent external audit,including forensic financial and compliance audit,into the renovation works already undertaken in the said temple including sanction procedures,approvals,tendering process,execution of works,utilization of funds and compliance with statutory requirements and submit a detailed report before this Honble court.

For Petitioners: Mr..S.K.Srinivasan

For Respondents: Mr. L.S.M. Hasan Fizal
Additional Government Pleader for R1 to R3
Order
(Order of the Court was made by G.R.Swaminathan J.)
Mr. L.S.M. Hasan Fizal, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice for the respondents 1 to 3. Notice to the other respondents returnable by 11.06.2026. Private Notice is also permitted.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioner states that, without getting permission from the Heritage Commissioner, renovation works are being
carried out.
3. We are, prima facie, satisfied with the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner. Hence, there shall be an interim injunction as prayed for till 30.06.2026.
(G.R.S.,J.) (V.L.N.,J.)
21-05-2026
BGA
To
1. The State of Tamilnadu,
Rep by its Secretary,Department of
Tourism,Culture and Religious Endowments,Secretariat,Fort St.George,Chennai-600 009.
2. The Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments
Department,119,Uthamar Gandhi Road,
Nungambakkam,Chennai 600 034
3. The Joint Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments
Department,Nagapattinam-611 001
4. The Executive Officer,
Sri.Sowrirajaperumal Temple,
Thirukkannapuram,Nagapattinam district,
Pincode-609704
5. The Fit Person,
Sri Sowrirajaperumal Temple,
Thirukkannapuram,
Nagapattinam District,
Pincode 609704
6. The Superintending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Chennai Circle,Fort St.George,
Chennai-600 009
7. The Deputy Accountant General
(Administration),
O/o.Principal Accountant General (Audit),
Tamilnadu and puducherry,Audit Bhavan,
361,Anna salai,Teynampet,Chennai 600 018
8. The State Level Expert Committee,
Rep by its joint Commissioner (Thiruppani),
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments
Department,(Head Office),119,Uthamar Gandhi
Road,Nungambakkam,Chennai 600 034
G.R.SWAMINATHAN J.
AND V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN J.
BGA
WP No. 20279 of 2026
AND
WMP Nos. 21737, 21738 and 21741 of 2026
21-05-2026