(1.) Wp.Nos.17248, 19258, 32091 and 33667 of 2013 are concerning Sri Sakthi Muthamman Temple, Neelankarai, whereas WP.Nos.5159, 21654 and 21712 of 2018 are pertaining to Arulmighu Kottai Mariamman Thirukoil, Omalur, Salem District. Though technically different prayers have been sought in these two batches of writ petitions, yet, the issues involved herein being intertwined, they are considered and decided by this common order. At the threshold, it is pertinent to note that as far as WP.No.17248 of 2013 is concerned, the second limb of the prayer viz., "forbearing the respondents 1 to 5 from continuing the occupation and enjoyment of the Temple lands in Survey No.82/1 of Neelangarai Village, Kancheepuram District" was given up by the learned counsel for the petitioner on 26.11.2019 and an endorsement was also made in the writ petition to that effect.
(2.) For the sake of convenience and to appreciate the events leading to the filing of the respective writ petitions, the brief facts are narrated hereunder:
(3.) ***