CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has confirmed the verdict of a single judge upholding the orders of the State government taking over the administration of the famous Natarajar temple in Chidambaram by appointing an executive officer.
A division bench comprising Justice K Raviraja Pandian and Justice T Raja confirmed the orders of the single judge R Banumathi, while dismissing a writ appeal from the secretary of the Podhu Dikshithars and a batch of impleading petitions including one from Janata party president Subramanian Swamy, on Tuesday.
In view of the admitted stand taken by the appellants, it was proved beyond doubt that neither the appellant nor their predecessors or forefathers were the founders of the temple and entitled to have the benefit of protection under Article 26 of the Constitution, the bench pointed out.
The historical records indisputably proved the fact that the temple was established by Chola and Pandiya kings and the rulers of Vijayanagaram between 10th and 13th century and worshipped both by Saivites and Vaishnavites. Hence, the Podhu Dikshithars could not claim it as a denominational temple. There were startling revealations that the Podhu Dikshithars had never maintained any account either in respect of the 400 acres of fertile land or in respect of the gold offerings, hundial collections and cash donations for ages.
They had never maintained at any point of time any account for fixing the rent and collecting the same.
The HR&CE had rightly come to the conclusion that the Podhu Dikshithars had continuously neglected to perform their duties. Hence, the executive officer was appointed.
Had there been a proper management of the temple, it would have become another richest temple like the ones in Tirupathi and Palani, the bench added.
NOTICE ON NALINI’S PLEA: The Madras High Court has ordered notice to the government on a writ plea from Nalini, serving life sentence in the special prison for women in Vellore in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, seeking premature release. Justice P Jyothimani on Tuesday ordered the notice returnable in two weeks.
BAIL TO TRIO: The Madras High Court has granted advance bail to MG Sekar, his wife Sarada Sekar and P Harivasagam, who feared arrest on the alleged charge of fraudulently obtaining affiliation to VKK Vijayan Engineering College in Sriperumbudur.
The allegation against the trio was that they, without providing sufficient infrastructure obtained affiliation and recognition for running the college.