Supreme Court – Daily Orders
R.Sivarama Subramaniya Sasthirigal vs The State Of Tamil Nadu on 1 July, 2025
ITEM NO.41 COURT NO.13 SECTION XII
S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PETITION(S) FOR SPECIAL LEAVE TO APPEAL (C) NO(S).17191-17194/2025
[ARISING OUT OF IMPUGNED FINAL JUDGMENT AND ORDER DATED 23-06-2025
IN REV.APLW(MD) NO. 81/2025 23-06-2025 IN REV.APLW(MD) NO. 82/2025
21-05-2025 IN WPMD NO. 14567/2025 21-05-2025 IN WPMD NO. 14654/2025
PASSED BY THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS AT MADURAI]
R.SIVARAMA SUBRAMANIYA SASTHIRIGAL PETITIONER(S)
VERSUS
THE STATE OF TAMIL NADU & ORS. RESPONDENT(S)
(IA NO. 150047/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED
JUDGMENT
IA NO. 150770/2025 – EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T.
IA NO. 150768/2025 – PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL
DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES)
Date : 01-07-2025 This matter was called on for hearing today.
CORAM : HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ MISRA
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE NONGMEIKAPAM KOTISWAR SINGH
For Petitioner(s) :Mr. K. Parameshwar, Sr. Adv.
Mr. A. Karthik, AOR
Ms. Smrithi Suresh, Adv.
Mr. Sugam Agrawal, Adv.
Mr. Ujjwal Sharma, Adv.
For Respondent(s) : Ms. Misha Rohatgi, AOR
Mr. R.Shunmugasundaram, Sr. Adv.
Mr. Nakul Mohta, Adv.
Ms. Sneha Menan, Adv.
Ms. Shakeena, A.G., Adv.
Mr. M Sathyanaryanan, Sr. Adv.
Mr. M Muthugeethayan, Adv.
Mr. B. Karunakaran, AOR
Signature Not Verified
Digitally signed by
BORRA LM VALLI
Date: 2025.07.03
10:08:58 IST
Reason: UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following
O R D E R
We have heard learned counsel for the parties at
length.
Admittedly, the petitioner herein is the Vidhayahar
of the temple concerned. In respect of a ceremony to be
performed on 07.07.2025, he filed a writ petition before
the High Court for mandating the time for the ceremony as
determined by him. Since there was some confusion as
regards the auspicious time, the High Court appointed an
expert committee of five priests in which the petitioner
was also a member. The appointment of the Committee was
challenged before this Court. This Court disposed of the
matter by giving liberty to file a review and to
challenge the order, if required. The High Court
consequently entertained the review and passed the second
impugned order.
The case of the petitioner is that as per practice
and age-old custom it his opinion in respect of timing of
the ceremonies which must prevail and, therefore,
appointment of the Committee and seeking its opinion is
not at all justified.
Per contra, on behalf the respondents it is submitted
that the rights are subject to adjudication in regular
suit, which is pending. In so far as the issue regarding
timing of ceremonies for 7th July 2025 is concerned, there
was confusion as there were multiple opinions and even the
petitioner earlier was not clear in respect of the time
for the ceremonies, hence the High Court in its wisdom
constituted a committee of five priests to recommend the
time schedule. The time schedule now recommended is based
on 4:1 opinion of the Committee members including the
petitioner, therefore, no interference with the High
Court’s order is called for.
In response to the above submission, learned counsel
for the petitioner submitted that there was no confusion
in petitioner’s opinion. Whatever confusion was there got
removed by the astrological calendar published later,
whereafter the petitioner gave a fresh opinion.
Be that as it may, having regard to the nature of
the cause espoused in the writ petition filed before the
High Court, we are of the view that the orders impugned
do not call for any interference particularly, when, as
per the second impugned order, it has been directed that
temples shall follow the earlier practice of seeking
opinion from the Vidhayahar through written
communications alone, subject to Vidhyahar indicating
whether it is draft or final Pattolia, in respect of date
and timing of the ceremonies. We, therefore, decline to
exercise our jurisdiction under Article 136 of the
Constitution of India.
The Special Leave Petition stands disposed of.
Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed
of.
(B. LAKSHMI MANIKYA VALLI) (AVGV RAMU)
COURT MASTER (SH) COURT MASTER (NSH)