Devotees of the Arulmigu Akilandeswari Sametha Agatheeswarar Temple in Nungambakkam have appealed to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to direct the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department to take steps to recover temple-owned lands that were allegedly sold illegally.
Members of the National Hindu Temple Federation claimed that more than 415 grounds of temple land had been illegally sold over the years. They alleged that former trustees and some officials of the department were involved in the transactions.
R. Amalraj, an official from the federation, said the people who claimed authority over the temple property were not hereditary trustees. He alleged that a particular family had falsely claimed the right to manage the temple’s assets. According to him, several individuals have also obtained pattas for land that originally belonged to the temple in and around Nungambakkam.
Dinesh Kumar of the Bharath Hindu Religious and Charitable Society said the alleged illegal transactions had affected important properties connected to the temple. He claimed that an old vegetable market and a school that once existed on temple-owned land were no longer present after the properties were allegedly sold.
The temple holds cultural and religious importance for many families in the area. It is considered the ancestral deity of several families, and devotees continue to visit the temple during its annual festival. Supporters of the temple are now demanding that its properties be protected and restored.
There are also concerns over tenants occupying temple-owned properties without paying rent. According to Kumar, rental arrears have accumulated to several crores of rupees. He called for immediate steps to recover the pending amounts and ensure that temple properties generate proper income for their intended purpose.
K. Sriram, general secretary of the federation, demanded strict action against officials and others allegedly involved in the transactions. He claimed that the issue had continued for around 50 to 60 years and called for a detailed investigation into the history of the temple’s land records.
The matter has also reached the Madras High Court. The court recently directed the HR&CE Department to submit a detailed report regarding the temple’s land records and alleged illegal transactions. During a recent hearing, the department sought additional time to comply with the court’s direction.
The devotees and Hindu organisations are now seeking stronger action from the authorities. They want the temple’s land records to be properly examined, allegedly encroached or illegally transferred properties to be recovered, and outstanding rent to be collected. The developments are being closely watched as the court examines the status of the temple’s valuable properties.