Why improper rent fixed for temple land: Madras HC

Chennai: In an attempt to earn more revenue to the temples, the Madras high court on Friday said whenever, the rent for the temple premises or enhancement of rent is fixed by authorities, it must properly checked by the commissioner, HR & CE, with the assistance of some expert persons and with reference to the current prevailing market rent in that locality.

Noting the improper enhancement of rent fixed by HR & CE in respect of the property owned by Arulmighu Sithi Buthi Vinayagar and Sunderaswarar Temple in Royapettah, rented out to a commercial establishment namely M/s Jayabaratham Marketing,  and the tenant failed to pay the enhanced rent and violated the undertaking given before the court that it would vacate the premises on or before September 30, 2018, Justice S.M.Subramaniam came down heavily on officials of the HR & CE and gave the above finding.

 The judge directed the HR & CE to evict the Jayabaratham Marketing from the premises within 48 hours. 

The judge also directed the commercial establishment to pay the rental arrears of Rs 69.41 lakh to the temple within 4 weeks while dismissing a petition from the Jayabaratham Marketing, seeking extension of time for vacating the premises.

 The judge said this court has to draw the factual inference that there was a possibility of collusion between the officials and the petitioner, more specifically in respect of fixation of rent. 

These kind of greedy men were attempting to take away the properties donated by some good hearted people for the benefit of devotees and for the benefit of temple These properties were donated/gifted by some good hearted souls for the welfare of the people at large. 

However, these greedy men were indulging in such activity of fixing the rent in an improper and diluting the revenue to be secured to the temple. 

These aspects were to be enquired into by the commissioner of HR & CE department, the judge added.