The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department to submit a detailed report on temple-owned lands across Tamil Nadu.
The court sought particulars on how much land is owned by temples under the department, and whether these properties are under direct temple administration, in the possession of leaseholders, or under encroachment. It also asked for details of steps taken to recover such lands and the number of pending cases related to temple properties, district-wise.
The direction came while hearing a public interest petition filed by Salem-based Radhakrishnan. The petition alleged that “kattalai” land belonging to the Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy Temple in the Srivaikuntam area of Thoothukudi district was illegally transferred through patta changes in private individuals’ names, and sought action to protect and recover such properties.
When the matter came up before Justices B. Velmurugan and R. Poornima, the HR&CE side sought time to file the report. The bench indicated that based on the report, a committee could be formed to study the issue and appropriate directions would follow, and adjourned the case to November 27.
