Blocking of temple land registrations: HC stays govt order

THE Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday, in an interim order, stayed the operation of a Government Order that restrained the registration department from unilaterally blocking or unblocking registration of lands based on requests from the HR&CE (Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments) and other departments.

- JEGADEESWARI PANDIAN

A bench of Justices Anita Sumanth and C Kumarappan passed the interim order on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by A Radhakrishnan of Salem who sought the quashing of the GO on the ground that it prevents the HR&CE authorities and temple trustees from protecting the properties of religious institutions.

The petitioner contended that the GO violated the property rights of the deities (who are considered minors with the HR&CE officials and trustees as guardians) and prevented the officials and trustees from discharging their duties to protect the properties of temples.