Tamil NaduMonday, 27 July 2026·The Hindu - Tamil Nadu
Madras High Court PIL on Karur Devadanam temple lands: 3,084.95 acres, 3,390 pattadars, Section 22A issue
A PIL before the Madras High Court challenges lifting the registration ban on 3,084.95 acres of temple lands in Karur district.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In July 2026, a public interest litigation was listed before the Madras High Court over the HR&CE department’s order lifting the registration ban on 3,084.95 acres of Devadanam lands in Karur district, affecting 3,390 ryotwari pattadars.
Key specifics
- Section 22A of the Registration Act was cited to say the Registration department can refuse registration of documents relating to temple lands.
- The lands were linked to 4 temples: Pugazhimalai Balasubramaniam Temple, Karur Kalyanapasupatheeswarar Temple, Kuppusipalayam Raveeswarar Temple, and Venjamangudalur Vikrutheeswarar Temple.
- The petitioner said the lands are spread across 15 villages and identified by 471 survey numbers.
- On July 9, 2026, the Karur Collector recommended lifting the ban on 3,084.95 acres, and the HR&CE Commissioner passed the order the same day.
- The PIL was listed before Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan on Monday, July 27, 2026.
Exam lens
Polity and governance question focus: temple land administration, Section 22A of the Registration Act, HR&CE Commissioner, 3,084.95 acres, 3,390 pattadars, Karur district — a likely TNPSC one-liner on religious endowment property control.