P.KRISHNAMOORTHY Vs. COMMISSIONER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These intra-Court appeals are directed against the common order in W.P.(MD)Nos. 12125 to 12129 of 2016, dated 17.08.2016. Writ Appeal Nos. 1273 to 1277 of 2016, have been filed by the Writ Petitioners and Writ Appeal Nos. 1247 to 1251 of 2016, have been filed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. As these appeals arise out of a common order, they were heard together and are disposed of by this common judgment. The parties shall be referred to as per their rank in the Writ Petitions.

(2.) The Writ Petitions were filed challenging the order passed by the second respondent dated 20.06.2016, superseding the board trustees (petitioners) of Arulmigu Vigneshwarar Vagaiyara Temple, Old Ayakudi, Palani and three other sub-temples, and another order dated 20.06.2016 appointing the fourth respondent as fit person of the said Temple to take over its administration.

(3.) The case of the petitioners is that, the temples were built by their forefathers and the complete management and administration of the temple was settled by a scheme in O.A.No. 142 of 1929, modified in O.A.No. 290 of 1935 and further modified by an order dated 20.01.1936, of the Board, exercising powers under Section 18 and 63 (iii) of Act II of 1927.