Chennai: Madras high court has ordered an inquiry into suspected large-scale irregularities in the management of more than 200 commercial and residential properties owned by Sri Prasanna Venkata Narasimma Perumal temple at West Saidapet.A division bench of Justices S M Subramaniam and Mohammed Shaffiq passed the order while setting aside an order passed by a single judge directing the registration of a lease deed involving the temple’s property. The court barred the execution of further leases, alienations, or interest-creating transactions involving its properties until the test is held.The court allowed K J Renuka to move the appeal, though she was not a party in the petition ordered by the single judge, as she said the lease deed sought to be registered was not only poorly drafted but also fixed a rent far below the market value, causing financial loss. The original writ petition resulted in a direction to the Saidapet sub-registrar to register the lease within seven days, prompting the appellant to intervene. She said the temple must ensure its property dealings reflect accountability and transparency.The court was informed that the temple possesses 140 residential properties and 40 commercial units at Saidapet, besides another 100 properties at Sholavaram. But Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department failed to act on complaints about the mismanagement of these assets. While the temple claimed protection as a denominational institution under Article 26 of the Constitution, the bench said the right to administer does not include the right to mal-administer, and that the state is empowered to intervene where public contributions are involved. It said HR&CE is not empowered to interfere with the religious practices prevailing in the temple.The court then directed the HR&CE commissioner to appoint an officer to probe property mismanagement, determine the temple’s legal status under the test laid down by Supreme Court in the Marua Dei case, and take necessary action within four months.
