Madras High Court Summons HR&CE Officers Over Failure To Clear Encroachments On Karur Temple Land

The Madras High Court has issued summons to officers of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) Department for failing to act against large-scale encroachments on temple land belonging to the Arulmigu Balasubramaniyaswamy Temple in Karur district, Live Law reported.

A division bench of Justice P Velmurugan and Justice B Pugalendhi observed that the officials had taken “no meaningful action” to restore temple lands despite multiple court orders.

“A vast extent of temple lands remains under encroachment. Despite repeated orders of this Court, both in the main writ petition and in the present contempt proceedings, no meaningful action has been taken to restore the temple lands. Hence, this Court is inclined to proceed further in the contempt application,” the bench remarked.

The Court was hearing a contempt petition filed by a devotee, Radhakrishnan, over non-compliance with an earlier order directing the removal of encroachments.

Radhakrishnan had originally approached the court for removal of encroachment of the property belonging to the temple.

During the hearing of the writ petition, it was revealed that 507.88 acres of temple land was under unauthorised occupation.

The HR&CE was directed to take necessary steps to remove the encroachment. Radhakrishnan had filed the contempt petition alleging that this order had not been complied with.

According to a report submitted to the court, 27 government officials, 49 industrialists and businesspersons, and 38 influential individuals were in possession of the temple lands, many allegedly with the connivance of revenue officials and temple trustees.

The bench observed that the HR&CE Department, as the “statutory guardian of temple properties,” had failed to uphold its responsibilities.

While the department claimed its eviction efforts were hampered by protests and lack of cooperation from the police, revenue, and other agencies, the judges found these explanations unsatisfactory.

The court also noted that influential encroachers had deterred local authorities from taking firm action.

Citing continued contempt of court, the bench has now summoned HR&CE officials to appear in person before taking further measures.

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