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2 hours ago
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The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea by the Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer of Arulmighu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple in Palani for an interim stay of a Madras High Court decision striking down government orders permitting construction of wedding halls using temple funds.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, however, admitted the special leave petition and listed it next on November 19. The respondents include the petitioner in the High Court, Rama Ravikumar, State of Tamil Nadu and the Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department.
“The High Court order will stand for the time being. We have rejected the plea for interim relief,” Justice Nath observed.
Justice Mehta told the temple authorities that, meanwhile, “if a single penny is used, you will be liable for contempt”.
Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Jaideep Gupta, appearing for State and temple authorities along with Tamil Nadu Advocate General P.S. Raman argued that earnings from the halls would go to the deities. Mr. Raman referred to the case of a wedding hall built on temple resources which earned the temple ₹7 lakh a day.
Mr. Gupta said temple authorities would be mindful of the sanctity of the property while operating the halls.
“People who come to get married there would be aware of the sanctity of the place. Someone wanting to serve liquor and non-vegetarian food would only opt for a private hall somewhere else,” Mr. Gupta submitted.
Senior advocate Guru Krishnakumar, appearing for the petitioner in the High Court, said the State was “behaving as if the Hindu religious places are under its ownership”. He argued that such constructions were meant for purely commercial and not religious purposes. The senior counsel argued that the diversion of temple funds for commercial projects was in breach of the HR&CE Act, 1959, and amounted to the misuse of devotees’ contributions.
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