CHELLAPPA IYER Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) A batch of Writ Petitions has been filed to challenge the action of the respondents in regard to the appointment of Archakas in different Temples.

(2.) The moot question raised by the petitioners is about the competence for appointment of the Archakas.

(3.) According to the petitioners, Archakas can be appointed only by the Trustees and for that, reference to Ss. 28 and 55 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959, has been given, along with Rule 12 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious Institutions (Officers and Servants) Service Rules, 1964. It is submitted that as per Sec. 55 of the Act, the officeholders and servants of the religious institutions can be filled up by the Trustees and Explanation appended to Sec. 55 of the Act of 1959 clarifies that expression "office holders or servants" shall include Archakas and Pujaries.