Progress is crucial, but not at cost of god’s properties: HC

Progress is crucial, but not at cost of god’s properties: HC

Chennai:  05.12.2021

Economic progress of the state, though important, cannot be at the cost of properties of god (temples), the Madras high court said.

Justice R Suresh Kumar made the observation while staying a Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department order leasing out 400sqft of a prime land belonging to Arulmighu Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple on East Coast Road (ECR) in Thiruvidanthai to a private individual.

The land was given on lease for three years to Mermaid Properties which wanted access to the property located behind the temple land, despite objections raised by the temple.

“Even an inch of land of the temple need not be given to the petitioner by way of lease. The reason being that, if at all the petitioner wants the land for the purpose of approach road towards ECR, such kind of approach road is not a temporary phenomenon as it can be a permanent affair,” the HC said. TNN