Amid the controversy over appointment of self-styled godman Nityananda as head of the Madurai Adheenam, the Madras High Court on Thursday dismised a PIL seeking a direction to the government to take over the ancient Saivite Mutt.
The Madurai Bench of the Court also dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by a disciple of the Dharmapura Adheenam seeking to produce the pontiff of Madurai Adheenam, Arunagirinatha Gnanasambanda Desika Paramacharya Swami, in person.
Dismissing the pleas,the Bench comprising Justices M. Sathya Narayanan and D. Hariparanthanam said the petitioners should approach the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment department under provisions of the HR and CE act and the High Court was not competent to handle the issue at this stage.
The Court said as the matter involved appointment of Nityananda as the successor, it was a matter to be decided by the HR and CE (Joint Commissioner) court or civil court.
Meanwhile, counsel for M. Solaikannan, Hindu People's Party leader who filed the PIL, sought a special leave petition for appealing against the Court order to the Supreme Court. The counsel also said he would file a civil suit.