This Criminal Original Petition has been filed to direct the respondents 2 to 5 not to harass the petitioners and interfere with their worship right and managing the affairs of Arulmighu Angala Parameshwari and Periyanayagi Amman Temple situated at Korakkavadi Village, Tittagudi Taluk of Cuddalore District.
2. It is stated by the petitioners that they own their family Samathi cum small temple by name Arulmighu Angala Parameshwari and Periyanayagi Amman Temple situated in the middle of the petitioner's land. They belong to Udayar community. While so, renovation work of the temple was given to one Arumugam Chettiar, who as a sub-contractor, swindled money to the tune of Rs.2 lakhs. Complaint and counter complaint were lodged and the Commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, without giving any notice to the petitioners, passed an order to bring the temple under the control of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, and also appointing a Fit Person. Now the matter is pending before this Court. While so, the respondents 2 to 5, are threatening and interfering with the affairs of the petitioners, to prevent them from worshipping the Deity and managing the temple. Hence this Criminal Original Petition.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioners has narrated the facts of the case and prayed this Court for a direction to the respondent police not to cause any hindrance to the petitioners in respect of performing poojas in the temple.
4. Mr.C.Emalias, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, takes notice for the respondents.
5. It is seen from the records that this Court had already ordered status quo in W.P.No.18318 of 2015 on 01.09.2015 permitting the father of the petitioners to perform pooja in the temple in question and the said order has not been stayed or modified till date. Hence a direction is issued to the respondent police not to cause any hindrance to the petitioners, in respect of conducting pooja in the temple in question. In respect of appointment of hereditary trustee, the petitioners are directed to appear before the authorities, as and when required.
R.MAHADEVAN, J.
KM
6. The Criminal Original Petition is disposed of accordingly.
Index : Yes/No 23.02.2017 Internet : Yes/No KM Note to the Registry: Issue order copy today (23.02.2017). To
1. The Superintendent of Police, Cuddalore.
2. The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court, Chennai-600 104.
Crl.O.P.No.3787 of 2017