The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has granted additional time to carry out a re-survey of the Thiruparankundram hill area in Madurai, after the government reported variations in the earlier measurement.
The matter arose from a petition filed by Ramesh, who sought protection for Jain temples on the hill and the Thenparankundram Umaiyandar rock-cut temple. He also requested that the entire hill be brought under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), that entry be regulated with ASI permission, and that encroachments and debris around the hill be removed.
Earlier, on February 19, 2025, a division bench had directed the petitioner to submit a fresh representation to the Union Culture Secretary and the ASI Director General, and asked the authorities to consider it after giving an opportunity to all concerned parties. Alleging non-compliance, the petitioner later sought contempt action against Union Culture Secretary Vivek Agarwal and ASI officials Ramji Nigam and Yadubir Singh Rawat.
In an order dated April 8, the court had directed the district collector to conduct a survey of the hill through revenue officials in coordination with the ASI and to file a report after completion. When the case came up before Justices G.R. Swaminathan and S. Sreemathy, the government said discrepancies were noticed and sought time for a re-survey.
The bench directed that the report should also mention details of any expansion work, if carried out on the hill after the Privy Council’s order. The hearing was adjourned to August 14.
