K. HAKKIM Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Petitioner in this Public Interest Litigation claims to be the founder of the Makkal Vizhipunarvu Arakkatalai which is functioning from the year 2009 and involved in the social welfare activities. The grievance espoused in this Writ Petition is that "the Thirumalairayar Padithurai Maiyya Mandapam" which was built in the central part of the Vaigai river near Simmakkal in the ancient city of Madurai in the year 1293 is in a dilapidated condition due to inadequate maintenance of that ancient monument. It has been highlighted that though there were originally 36 pillars, 12 of them had tumbled by the river floods and only 24 of the same are now available, which are also likely to disintegrate in due course as cracks have already developed and the rock and sand surrounding the structure has eroded and the basement exposed. In that backdrop, a direction has been sought to renovate that ancient monument.

(2.) At the time of admission, notice has been taken by Mr. D. Muruganantham, Learned Additional Government Pleader for the First to Fifth and the Seventh Respondents, Mr. N. Shanmugaselvam, Learned Standing Counsel for the Sixth Respondent and Mr. V.R. Shanmuganathan, Learned Counsel for the Eight Respondent.

(3.) The Third Respondent has filed a status report dtd. 7/1/2019, stating as follows:-