MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Monday directed the HR&CE department to file a report on the date on which the authorities would be completing the renovation works at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai and the details of the encroachments in the temple properties.
A bench of justices C V Karthikeyan and R Sakthivel sought the response while hearing a PIL filed by A Radhakrishnan of Salem, seeking a direction to expedite the renovation works and consecration ceremony of the temple and protect the properties of the temple as well as its sub temples.
Radhakrishnan stated in his petition that the hight court in 2021, had directed the chief secretary to convene a meeting with the heads of all departments to formulate a mechanism or rules to safeguard temple properties in the state. Based on the same, a meeting was convened on August 23, 2021, in which the chief secretary had instructed the authorities to take necessary action and submit a report at the next meeting.
However, no further meetings were held even after a lapse of four years, he alleged and requested the court to direct the chief secretary to conduct follow-up meetings to comply with the court’s directions and safeguard Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple properties, among others.
When the case was heard on Monday, the counsel representing the temple assured that necessary steps were being taken to complete the renovation works, in view of the upcoming consecration ceremony.
He also added that the authorities are in the process of issuing tenders for establishing a modular kitchen. However, the petitioner alleged that the location chosen for the kitchen was unsafe.
The judges opined that location would not be an issue as long as necessary safety measures are undertaken. But they wanted the authorities to identify the encroachments in the properties of the above temple and its sub temples and file a detailed response mentioning the name of the encroachers and the purpose for which the properties were being used, among others.
They also wanted the authorities to give clear dates as to when the modular kitchen would be ready and when the renovation works would be completed. The case was adjourned to July 20.