The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed Tamil Nadu’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to file a report on action taken to recover properties belonging to temples in Thoothukudi district, including rent arrears from leased land and commercial premises.
The direction was issued while hearing a public interest petition filed by Radhakrishnan of Alwarkurichi. The petitioner referred to properties belonging to the Sankararameswarar and Vaikundapathi temples in Thoothukudi and alleged that some individuals had illegally encroached on them while claiming rights with the support of certain officials.
The petition also referred to a representation submitted to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department seeking the recovery of properties belonging to the Tiruchendur Subramania Swamy Temple. The petitioner sought directions for the department to examine and act on the representation.
In an earlier order, the two-judge bench had asked the executive officers of the temples to provide details of people who had taken temple lands on lease but failed to pay rent. The court also sought information on whether steps had been taken to recover the outstanding amounts and whether there were any other reasons for the non-payment.
During the hearing, the government advocate informed the court that the Tiruchendur temple had rent arrears of Rs 1.50 crore. The judges questioned why people conducting commercial activities on leased temple property were not paying the rent due. They also observed that the temple administration could issue notices and initiate eviction proceedings if leaseholders failed to pay.
The bench raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the management of temple properties and the accountability of officials responsible for them. The court’s observations, as reported by Dinamalar, also referred to concerns that administrative changes could allow those involved in alleged property irregularities to avoid responsibility.
The case was heard by Justices P. Velmurugan and K. K. Ramasamy. The judges directed the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to file a report detailing the steps taken to recover temple properties. The proceedings have been adjourned for two weeks.
The next report is expected to set out the status of rent recovery, notices issued to defaulting lessees, proposed eviction action and measures taken in relation to alleged encroachments. The supplied report does not provide the total extent or valuation of the temple properties covered by the proceedings.
