PIL in Madras High Court Challenges Order Lifting Ban on Karur Temple Lands

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition has been listed for admission before the first Division Bench of the Madras High Court, challenging the lifting of a registration ban on 3,084.95 acres of temple lands in Karur district. The plea was scheduled for hearing before Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan on Monday, July 27, 2026.

The petition was filed by P. Bhaskar, a cable TV operator from Guduvancheri in Chengalpattu district, through his counsel B. Jagannath. The petitioner alleged that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department had effectively given away 3,084.95 acres of temple lands to 3,390 individuals by removing property registration restrictions.

According to the petitioner, Devadanam properties were endowed to Hindu temples by erstwhile kings, with temple servants permitted to occupy and cultivate them. Although hereditary occupants were later granted conditional ryotwari pattas, the petitioner contended that title ownership must remain with the temples and occupants cannot alienate the properties. Section 22A of the Registration Act empowers the Registration department to refuse registration of such temple lands.

The petition stated that on July 9, the Karur District Collector recommended lifting the registration ban for lands belonging to four temples: Pugazhimalai Balasubramaniam Temple (214.29 acres), Karur Kalyanapasupatheeswarar Temple (204.52 acres), Kuppusipalayam Raveeswarar Temple (132.49 acres), and Venjamangudalur Vikrutheeswarar Temple (2,533.65 acres). The properties are spread across 15 villages under 471 survey numbers.

On the same day the Collector made the recommendation, the HR&CE Commissioner issued an order lifting the registration ban for 3,390 ryotwari pattadars. The petitioner noted that during Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's visit to Karur on July 10, former Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar requested that the lands be given to hereditary occupants, after which it was projected that the request had been acceded to immediately.

The petitioner's affidavit further claimed that non-Hindus are among the beneficiaries of the land rights, arguing that gifting Hindu temple properties violates religious sentiments and secular principles.