“ ‘Shocked At Ancient Structure Exploited For Financial Gain’: Madras High Court Slams HR&CE, Orders Sealing Of Kanyakumari Temple Mandapam”, The Commune, February 21, 2026
“Expressing strong displeasure over the commercial use of an ancient temple structure, the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench has ordered the immediate removal of all encroachments from the ‘Kanniyambalam’ Kal Mandapam of the Arulmigu Kanyakumari Bagavathi Amman Thirukovil and directed authorities to seal the structure.
A Division Bench comprising Justice G. Jayachandran and Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan came down heavily on the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, observing that the heritage structure had been exploited “for financial gain” and that debris and construction materials were being stored inside the mandapam.
The court was hearing a writ petition filed by Nagarajan, who sought restoration of the mandapam to its original condition by removing structures put up by rental shop owners. He had also requested consideration of his representation dated June 26, 2025…….”
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