The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday sought the state’s response on a PIL seeking a direction to the authorities to protect the properties belonging to Madurai Adhinyam.
Justice R. Mahadevan and Justice J. Satya Narayan Prasad ordered notice to the state and sought its response on the petition filed by A Radhakrishnan of Salem.
The petitioner said that section 34 of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act speaks about alienation of immovable trust property. The Act states that any exchange, sale or mortgage for a period exceeding five years of any immovable property belonging to or for the purpose of or belonging to any religious institution and any lease shall be void and shall be void unless it is approved by the Commissioner. Being necessary or beneficial to the institution.
As far as Madurai Adhiyanam was concerned, it had many endowed properties and they have been mismanaged. This caused damage to Madurai Adhiyanam. The properties have been swindled and needed to be kept safe.
The petitioner said that a representation was made to the authorities for the safety and security of the properties. But, no proper steps have been taken in this regard.