Madras High Court Summons HR&CE Officials
The Madras High Court has summoned key officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department for a hearing concerning a contempt of court case. This order requires four officials, including the HR&CE Commissioner, to personally attend the court on January 12 to address significant delays in recovering temple lands.
Background of the Case
The case specifically involves the Chinna Kesava Perumal temple located in Perambattu village, Tirupattur. A petition was lodged in the High Court seeking the recovery of temple properties, highlighting the importance of such actions to uphold religious rights.
Court’s Previous Orders
In September 2023, the Madras High Court instructed the HR&CE department to reclaim all properties belonging to the temple within a six-month timeframe. This directive aimed to ensure the proper management and restoration of religious assets.
Contempt Petition Details
Following allegations of non-compliance, S. Natarajan filed a contempt petition against the HR&CE Commissioner, the Joint Commissioner in Vellore, and the HR&CE Inspector in Tirupattur. The petition argued that these officials failed to follow through on the court’s orders regarding the recovery of temple lands.
Official Summons
In response to the petition, a division bench of the Madras High Court, composed of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan, mandated the aforementioned officials to appear in court. They must provide explanations for the lack of action within the stipulated period.
Additional Officials Summoned
The court has also summoned the Tahsildar of Tirupattur, who has been accused of delaying the transfer of the land documents (patta) in the temple’s name for over a year. This delay adds another layer to the issues surrounding the recovery of temple properties.
Conclusion
This court summons highlights the ongoing struggle to recover religious properties and the accountability of public officials. The January 12 hearing will be crucial in determining the next steps in this significant case involving temple land recovery.
