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In April 2012, the 292nd pontiff, Arunagirinathar, initially declared Nithyananda as his successor. However, due to numerous controversies surrounding Nithyananda, Arunagirinathar rescinded this decision in October 2012
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently dismissed a revision petition filed by Nithyananda Swami. The petition challenged an order permitting Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal to replace Sri Arunagirinatha Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal, the 292nd head of the Madurai Aadheenam, in a 2012 suit.
The suit, among other reliefs, sought direction for cancellation of the documents under which the 292nd pontiff had appointed Nithyananda his successor. A relief was also sought to restrain Nithyananda, his followers, and agents from interfering with the administration and management of the Madurai Aadheenam.
During the suit's pendency, the 292nd Aathinakarthar attained Mukthi on August 13, 2021, and Sri Harihara Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal became the 293rd Aadheenakarthar.
Despite this, Nithyananda asserted his claim, arguing that since Arunagirinathar had initially declared him as his successor in April 2012, and later removed him in October 2012, Harihara Swamigal could not be nominated as the 293rd successor. He contended that upon the 292nd pontiff attaining ‘mukthi’, the position should automatically pass to him, precluding any other claims to the position.
The counsel for Nithyananda, who filed the revision petition through his power agent AC Narendran @ Sri Nithyamoksha Priyananda, contended that permitting Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal to substitute himself as 293rd pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam would amount to decreeing the main suit itself which was not permissible under law.
He further contended that the suit was filed by the 292nd pontiff in his personal capacity and therefore, no right will succeed to Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal to file an application for substitution.
On the other hand, the counsel for Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal contended that his appointment as the 293rd plaintiff has been taken on record by the Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department in 2021 and therefore, he was legally entitled to get himself substituted as Aadheenam of Madurai Devasdhanam.
The bench of Justice R Vijayakumar while refused to interfere in the the application for amendment filed by Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal for substituting himself in the place of 292nd pontiff, it made it clear that substitution of Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal in the place of Sri La Sri Arunagirinatha Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal is only for the limited purpose of prosecuting the suit and the same would not confer any additional advantage to the Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal in the suit proceedings.
Whether the documents executed by 292nd pontiff are liable to be declared as null and void or whether the appointment of Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal as the 293rd pontiff is valid or not have to be decided by the trial Court on merits and in accordance with law, the high court held.
With these directions, court dismissed the revision petition.
Case Title: Sri Nithyanadha Swami v. Sri La Sri Harihara and 2 Others
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