HC directs HR&CE to safeguard properties of temple in Dindigul district

Madurai: Madras high court directed the authorities to take steps to safeguard properties of Kalahastheeswarar temple in Dindigul district.The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by A Radhakrishnan of Salem district. The petitioner stated that Kalahastheeswarar temple is an ancient temple administered by the Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR and CE) department. The temple owns valuable immovable properties including inam lands, temple land parcels, leased properties, buildings, shops and other endowment properties dedicated for religious and charitable purposes.He stated that there are several serious irregularities with regard to the administration and protection of the temple properties. Large extents of temple land parcels have been encroached upon and title deeds are alleged to have been improperly granted in favour of some individuals despite such properties belonging to the temple.The petitioner stated that the temple is visited by large numbers of devotees and the proper maintenance and protection of the properties are matters of substantial public importance. Hence, the petitioner moved court seeking a direction to the authorities to secure, safeguard and ensure proper administration of the temple properties.The standing counsel for the temple submitted that a committee has been constituted under the Dindigul HR and CE assistant commissioner to inspect all the properties belonging to the temple and to take steps to protect the same.Taking into account the submissions, a division bench of justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy and justice R Poornima directed the HR and CE authorities to take steps to safeguard the temple properties. The petition was disposed of.Ends