Madras HC Quashes Criminal Case Against Temple Activist TR Ramesh Allegedly Filed On Behest Of HRCE Department

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), temple activist T R Ramesh wrote that the Madras High Court had quashed a criminal case filed against him by administrators of the Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai for instigating devotees in the temple on 31 August 2022.

Calling the case ‘false’, Ramesh alleged that it was filed at the behest of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) Department and that there was no way he could have done so as he was in Bangalore at that time to attend a wedding.

While he secured anticipatory bail in September 2022, the case was quashed recently.

Reacting to the development, well known publisher and political commentator Badri Seshadri, wrote that while it was heartening to know that the case had been quashed, what was worrisome is that the government was spending taxpayers money to file a false case and then the person concerned has to spend his own money and time to get out of it.

The Kapaleeswarar Temple was in the news last year after Ramesh raised questions about the proposed construction of a cultural centre using temple funds. He contended that it was against the rules.

The construction has been put on hold after a hearing by the Madras High Court in May 2024.

Also Read: Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple Funds Issue - TR Ramesh Speaks To Swarajya On Govt's Cultural Centre Project