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Synopsis

The Madras High Court on Thursday October 17, 2024, took action against a temple trustee and employees for their inappropriate behavior inside the Devi Karumari Amman Temple in Tiruverkadu.

The bench of Justice M. Dhandapani directed the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Commissioner and the temple's Executive Officer to initiate action against trustee Valarmathi and several women employees. They were found recording comic videos, dancing to film songs, and miming movie dialogues inside the temple premises on Tamil New Year day.

The order was passed in a writ petition filed by one K. Jayaraprakash, who sought action against the trustee based on a representation made on August 13. During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel presented the offending videos as evidence.

Expressing concern, Justice Dhandapani stated that people visit temples with devotion and questioned how a trustee and employees could make a mockery by recording comic videos in front of the deity's portrait. He emphasized that such actions undermine the respect due to the presiding deity

The judge noted that the videos featured mimicry of actor Vadivelu's comic dialogue, where he resigns as temple priest for a government job.

Justice Dhandapani ordered action against all participants, stressing that trustees and employees must maintain dignity.

Court ordered the HR&CE Commissioner and Executive Officer to submit an action-taken report by October 29, 2024.

Case Title: K.JAYAPRAKASH Vs. THE COMMISSIONER AND 2 OTHERS