SUNKARA KARTHIK Vs. UNION TERRITORY OF PUDUCHERRY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The writ petitioner Sunkara Karthik has filed the present Writ Appeal calling into question the Order dated 26.04.2019 of the learned Single Judge dismissing his Writ Petition in W.P.No. 9541 of 2019.

(2.) The said Writ Petition had been filed in the nature of a Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records relating to the demolition order dated 08.08.2013 by the Commissioner, Department of Hindu Religious Institutions, Puducherry and to quash the same and also to direct the respondents to conserve the heritage building "Sri Alivelu Manga Sametha Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple" at Yanam in its original archaeological structure.

(3.) The petitioner claimed to be devotee of the temple. He further claimed that the temple was built by the Kings of Rajamahendravaram in 15th century AD and that it was a heritage building. He also claimed that it came under the category of an Ancient Monument as defined under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. He further claimed that the respondents, namely, the Commissioner, Department of Hindu Religious Institutions, and The Executive Officer cum Deputy Tahsildar of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Yanam Group of Temples and Sri Venkateswara Swamy Yanam Group of Temples Committee were scheming to demolish the building of the temple under the guise of reconstruction. He had also impleaded as a fifth respondent, the Minister for Tourism, Puducherry. He claimed that the respondents had not obtained permission from the competent authority under the said Act. Consequently, questioning the order of demolition, the Writ Petition was filed.