The Madras High Court has directed the removal of a newly constructed, illegally encroached Pentecostal church on the Chengalpattu Bypass adjacent to the Chennai-Trichy National Highway in Chengalpattu district, following a petition filed by the Hindu Munnani.

The church was built on Devar Malai/Devar Hill, situated along the Chengalpattu Bypass Road on the Chennai-Trichy National Highway. This encroachment severely impacted the environment, resulting in the destruction of trees, medicinal plants, and local wildlife.

Raja, the district secretary of the Hindu Munnani and a social activist from Sethupakkam, filed a public interest litigation (PIL) after his earlier petition to the Chengalpattu Tehsildar and District Collector to remove the encroachment went unaddressed.

Following a thorough investigation, the Madras High Court has ordered the Revenue Department to conduct a complete survey of the encroachment on Devar Hill and ensure its removal within 12 weeks.

In a social media post, the Hindu Munnani shared the details of the case on its official X account, highlighting its successful efforts in thwarting the illegal encroachment.

செங்கல்பட்டு தேவர் மலையில் ஆக்கிரமித்து கட்டப்பட்டுள்ள பெந்தகோஸ்து கிறிஸ்துவ சர்ச் அகற்றக்கோரி உயர்நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவு…

செங்கல்பட்டு மாவட்டம், செங்கல்பட்டு புறவழி தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலையில் அமைந்துள்ள தேவர் மலை ஆக்கிரமித்து புதிதாக கட்டியுள்ள சர்ச் அகற்றக்கோரி சென்னை உயர்நீதிமன்றம்… pic.twitter.com/4k6mdbQWSL

— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) March 8, 2025

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The post Madras High Court Orders Removal Of Pentecostal Christian Church Built Encroaching Devar Hill In Chengalpattu appeared first on The Commune.

Swaminathan, the district secretary of the Mayiladuthurai Hindu Munnani, has lodged a complaint with the district collector concerning the tehsildar and circle inspector of Villiyanallur village in Courtallam Taluk. The complaint asserts that these officials failed to address a request to remove a Christian missionary house of worship constructed on a water body, violating National Green Tribunal directives.

It further alleges that the officials invited both parties and then abruptly cancelled peace talks without prior notice and showed sudden support for the Christian proselytizing group. Hence, the Hindu Munani called for action against the Courtallam circle Police Inspector and the tehsildar.

The letter submitted to the collector states, “On 27 March 2024, I filed a complaint at the Courtallam Circle Police Station regarding the unauthorized occupation of the Vannan Thital drainage canal in Villiyanallur village, Courtallam taluk, Mayiladuthurai district. This construction was carried out without government permission and contravened the National Green Tribunal guidelines.

The police have cited they have no jurisdiction over this matter, and promised that efforts will be made to mediate through peace talks led by the Courtallam tehsildar. Instructions were given to both parties to refrain from using loudspeakers for religious activities until the peace talks were concluded.

An invitation was issued for peace talks on 22 August 2024, at 3 PM, under the leadership of the Courtallam tehsildar. However, at 2:50 PM on the same day, I received a phone call from the police station informing me that the talks were postponed and a new date would be provided later.

When asked about the postponement in person, the tehsildar gave inconsistent and unsatisfactory responses. It appears that the Courtallam tehsildar is abusing his power by supporting the opposition party and postponing the matter. I request departmental action against both the Courtallam tehsildar and the Courtallam police inspector.”

மயிலாடுதுறை மாவட்டம், குத்தாலம் தாலுக்கா வில்லியநல்லூர் கிராமம் MGR நகர் பகுதியில் தேசிய பசுமை தீர்ப்பாய அறிவுறுத்தல்களை மீறி நீர்நிலையை ஆக்கிரமித்து கட்டப்பட்டிருக்கும் கிருஸ்துவ மிஷனரி வழிபாட்டு கூடத்தை அகற்ற கூறி வழங்கப்பட்ட புகார் மனுவிற்கு நடவடிக்கை மேற்கொள்ள, pic.twitter.com/ziQqp0mZXI

— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) August 23, 2024

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The post Hindu Munnani Files Complaint Against Alleged Inaction Over Illegal Construction Of Church Over Water Body In Mayiladuthurai District appeared first on The Commune.

The Madurai branch of the High Court ordered the shutting down of a Christian church near the Muthumariamman temple in Manamadurai, Sivagangai district. This was found to have been built without proper permission from the district administration and opened for worship.

Hindu organizations, including the Indhu Munnani, opposed the construction of a church on the Sivapuram Road in Manamadurai while it was being constructed. However, as the construction work continued. Following this, Marimuthu, a member of the Indhu Munnani District Executive Committee from Manamadurai, filed a case in the Madurai branch of the Madurai High Court. In it, he had demanded an order to stop the construction of a Christian church near the Muthumariamman temple in the Dayapuram area in Manamadurai, which was being built without the proper permission of the district administration.

The prosecutor who appeared in the case argued that construction of the church had already been completed and the church was open for worship. Following this, the judges had asked the Manamadurai Union Kalkurichi Panchayat President to appear in the case and give an explanation. Following this, Yasmin, the Chairman of the Kalkurichi Panchayat Council, appeared at the hearing of the case and explained it through a video conference. She said that permission had already been granted on behalf of the panchayat administration to extend the deadline for construction work following the permission given by the Panchayat Union office when the local body was not in power and admitted to their mistake.

Following this, the order issued by the bench comprising Justices DS Sivagyanam and Anandi stated as follows: “Worship can be held where there is no objection. The Panchayat administration does not have the authority to give permission for the construction of a new Christian church to be built and opened in the Dayapuram area of ​​Manamadurai. Only the district administration is authorised to issue permits. The court orders the church administration to shut down the church immediately. Otherwise, the Manamadurai Regional Development Officer will have to shut it down.”

The administration then applied to the district collector for a permit to allow the construction of the church within a week and the collector is to consider the application within 10 days and issue an appropriate order.

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The post Madurai HC orders the shutting down of church built illegally in Sivagangai appeared first on The Commune.