The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has questioned the lack of supervision by temple authorities in an alleged ₹25.24 lakh irregularity involving the distribution of special darshan tickets at the Tiruchendur Subramania Swamy Temple, as reported in Vikatan.
The temple operates a paid darshan system under which devotees can obtain ₹100 tickets for expedited access to the deity. Allegations recently surfaced that funds amounting to ₹25.24 lakh generated through the sale of these tickets had been misappropriated.
Following an inquiry into the complaint, temple authorities alleged that a temporary woman employee, identified as Menaka, was involved in the irregularities. She was subsequently suspended from service.
The temple administration also issued notices to employees Balamurugan and Uchimakali, seeking explanations for alleged negligence in failing to properly verify computer-generated tickets and monitor the ticketing process.
Meanwhile, Balamurugan and Uchimakali approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the case. Their petition came up for hearing before Justice Dhanapal.
During the hearing, the judge raised a series of questions regarding the apparent failure of senior officials to detect the alleged fraud.
“An irregularity involving nearly ₹25 lakh has taken place. Why did higher officials fail to properly monitor it?” the judge asked.
Justice Dhanapal further questioned whether authorities had adequately scrutinised the revenue generated by one of Tamil Nadu’s most prominent temples.
“Tiruchendur Murugan Temple receives a large number of devotees. It is the duty of officials to examine how much revenue is being generated and whether that revenue is being properly collected and accounted for,” the court observed.
After hearing the matter, the judge directed the concerned authorities to file a detailed response explaining the nature of the alleged irregularities and clarifying the role, if any, played by the petitioners in the case.
The court adjourned the hearing to 8 August 2026 for further proceedings.
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