TAMIL NADU, INDIA, May 26, 2025 (The Commune): In a significant setback for the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, the Supreme Court of India has rejected its Special Leave Petition, effectively upholding a pivotal ruling by the First Bench of the Madras High Court. This judgment puts a firm stop to the construction of commercial complexes [photo above] using temple funds and properties. On 9 January 2025, the First Division Bench of the Madras High Court, headed by the Chief Justice, delivered a landmark decision that nullified the tender process for building a commercial complex on land and with funds belonging to Sri Nandeeswarar Temple in Nandivaram village, Chengalpet District. The court emphasized that under the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959, surplus temple funds must only be used for clearly defined religious or charitable purposes, not for commercial development.

The case originated from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by temple devotee P. Baskar, who challenged the legality of the proposed commercial project. Represented by Advocate B. Jagannath, the petitioner argued that the HR&CE Act restricts the use of temple funds to activities like promoting Hindu religious practices, feeding devotees, and supporting the poor through free marriages—citing Sections 36(1), 36(A), 36(B), and 66(1) of the Act. This verdict is seen as a major victory for devotees and a serious blow to unauthorized use of temple assets. It reinforces that temple funds must strictly be used for religious and charitable functions as outlined by law. The ruling also has broader implications, potentially influencing similar cases—such as proposed commercial ventures at temples in places like Thiruvannamalai. This decision is being widely celebrated as a crucial measure in safeguarding temple resources from mismanagement and ensuring adherence to the legal framework governing religious institutions in Tamil Nadu.

More at source.
https://thecommunemag.com/supreme-court-rejects-tn-hr-upholds-madras-high-courts-ban-on-commercial-use-of-temple-funds/

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