Tamil NaduSaturday, 1 August 2026·Hindu Tamil Thisai
Madras High Court orders eviction of encroachments on ₹1,000 crore temple lands in Dharmapuri within 12 weeks
The Madras High Court directed the HR&CE Department to remove encroachments on temple lands worth ₹1,000 crore in Dharmapuri within 12 weeks.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In August 2026, the Madras High Court ordered the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to remove encroachments on temple lands worth ₹1,000 crore in Dharmapuri district within 12 weeks.
Key specifics
- The lands are in Karimangalam and Pulikkarai villages of Dharmapuri district.
- The temples named in the petition include Kodalamman, Selliyamman, Eswaran, Perumalsamy and Thirumalai Thevar.
- The petitioner said the issue had been raised since 2023 without action by the department or the State.
- The court gave a 12-week deadline to the government and HR&CE officials.
- The case was heard by Justice Krishnan Ramasamy.
Exam lens
Question type: Judiciary and temple administration; key facts: Dharmapuri district, ₹1,000 crore, 12 weeks, HR&CE Department, Justice Krishnan Ramasamy. TNPSC may ask which department manages temple properties in Tamil Nadu.