The Madras High Court has imposed a ₹50,000 penalty on the Commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department for failing to file a detailed report on the division responsible for supervising educational institutions run under religious bodies.
The order was passed by Justice Anita Sumanth while hearing matters relating to the administration of the Kandhakottam Temple and the management of seven educational institutions affiliated with it.
The court noted that as early as 28 August 2025, it had directed the HR&CE Department to file a comprehensive note detailing the functioning of the wing responsible for overseeing such educational institutions. However, despite the passage of several months, no report was submitted.
When the case was taken up again on 19 January 2026, the department failed to place any report before the court. Expressing dissatisfaction, the judge observed that the department had violated the court’s directions and proceeded to impose the penalty.
The court directed that the ₹50,000 fine be paid to the High Court Legal Services Committee on or before 21 January 2026.
Justice Anita Sumanth also reiterated the earlier direction, mandating that the HR&CE Department must file the detailed report as sought by the court.
The judge further stated that additional directions regarding the constitution of a school committee would be issued during the next hearing of the case, scheduled for 17 February 2026.
Source: Sekar Reporter
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