HC orders probe into demolition of sannidhi

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HC orders probe into demolition of sannidhi

Friday June 17 2005 00:00 IST

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the Home Secretary to instruct the

police to investigate into the demolition of Lord Shiva’s sannidhi at the

Azhagiya Namirayar Perumal Temple in Thirukurungudi, Tirunelveli, last year.

 

Passing orders on a petition filed by Krishnamachari, secretary, Divya Desa

Parambariya Padhukappu Peravai in Srirangam, Justice P D Dinakaran said it

cannot be disputed that the demolition of the sannidhi would attract penal

action under the Indian Penal Code.

 

The demolition had offended the religious sentiments of worshippers as well as

the public at large. ‘‘Under these circumstances, it is needless to say that the

Home Secretary should have given direction to the authorities to investigate and

take action in accordance with law,’’ he said.

 

The petitioner submitted that during a renovation work carried out at the

Perumal temple in June 2004, Lord Shiva’s sannidhi was demolished and the lingam

was uprooted. An idol of Lord Shiva called Mahendra Girinathar had been in

existence for over 1,000 years at the sannidhi. The Jeer Mutt, which managed the

temple, had not obtained approval from authorities before demolishing the

sannidhi.

 

‘‘The removal of the sannidhi is not only against the ‘Agama’ principles of

Vaishnava temples but also against the provisions of the Hindu Religious and

Charitable Endowments Act,’’ he contended.

 

When the petitioner lodged a complaint with the local police, no action was

taken. Hence, he was constrained to move the court.

 

The court directed the Home Secretary to ensure that a complaint was registered

against the Srinivasa Charitable Trust representative Venu Srinivasan, Jeer Mutt

representative Perarulala Ramanuja Jeer, Kanchi seer Jayendran Saraswathi, Sri

Vanamamalai Mutt representative Srimath Kaliyan Vanamamalai Ramanuja Jeer and

one Unnikrishna Panicker.

 

All of them were cited as respondents in the petition.