HC orders status quo on work at Courtallam falls

Madurai: Madras high court on Wednesday ordered the status quo on renovation work at the Main Falls of Courtallam in Tenkasi district. The court was hearing a plea about damage to the rock-cut sculptures, idols and heritage structures due to work.The public interest litigation filed by Rama Ravikumar of Madurai district stated that there are several ancient rock-cut sculptures and stone idols around the Main Falls which are being worshipped by the devotees. However, the development activities carried out over the years damaged several idols while some others were removed and placed at different spots by workers without any supervision of archaeological experts. Some idols were consecrated and are an integral part of the religious practices attached to the Kutralanathar Swamy temple there, the petitioner stated. The act of removing and damaging deities infringes on the religious rights of devotees and violates statutory protections governing ancient monuments and antiquities. Hence, the petitioner moved court seeking a direction to the authorities to ensure the protection and the preservation of heritage structures and reinstallation of removed idols.Hearing the plea, a division bench of Justice P Velmurugan and Justice C Kumarappan observed that the main grievance of the petitioner is that the authorities are damaging the rock-cut idols, sculptures and heritage structures, at the Main Falls. The judges directed officials to file a status report and posted the case for hearing on Thursday (May 7).