Sun Nov 09 05:09:21 UTC 2025: Summary:
Two trustees of the Kandakottam Kandaswamy Temple in Chennai have petitioned the Madras High Court, alleging attempts by third parties to illegally seize 1.6 acres of temple land in Royapuram. The land was bequeathed to the temple in 1886 with a condition that it not be alienated. The petitioners claim that legal heirs of a former trustee are attempting to sell the land despite previous rulings against them. Justice P.B. Balaji has issued an interim order preventing any alienation or encumbrance of the property until the case can be heard on November 19th.
News Article:
Madras High Court Halts Alleged Land Grab Attempt at Historic Chennai Temple
Chennai, November 9, 2025 – The Madras High Court has intervened to protect land belonging to the 343-year-old Kandakottam Kandaswamy Temple in Chennai, following allegations of an illegal attempt to alienate a significant portion of its property.
Two trustees of the temple, located near the Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station, filed a petition with the court, claiming that third parties are attempting to seize 1.6 acres of temple land located in Royapuram. The land was originally donated to the temple in 1886 by Pauckam Kandhaswamy Chettiar, with a specific condition in his will that it could never be sold or transferred.
The petitioners allege that legal heirs of a former trustee, T. Parthasarathi Chetty, are behind the attempted land grab. They claim that Chetty executed a fraudulent will in 1997, falsely claiming ownership of the property. Despite previous rulings by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department and civil courts against the legal heirs’ claims, they recently obtained a patta (revenue record on land ownership) through the Tondiarpet Special Zonal Tahsildar.
Justice P.B. Balaji of the Madras High Court has issued an interim order, preventing any alienation or encumbrance of the property until the case can be heard on November 19th. He emphasized that the order is solely to protect the temple’s property and should not be exploited by any party involved.
The Kandakottam Temple, established in 1672, is a significant religious site in Chennai. The HR&CE department oversees its administration. The legal battle underscores ongoing concerns about the protection of religious endowments and properties in the region. The court’s decision brings temporary relief to the temple but the final resolution remains to be seen.
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