CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has observed that government officials should not act on superstitions or unfounded beliefs, while disposing of a contempt petition related to the seizure of idols from a residential premises in Ennore.
A Karthik, a resident of Bajanai Koil Street, Nettu Kuppam, Ennore, had installed idols of Sivasakthi Dhakshiswari, along with Vinayagar and Veerabhadran Swamy, in his house and had been worshipping them. Neighbours had also been participating in these rituals.
After the worship began, some mysterious deaths were reportedly said to have occurred in the surrounding areas. Based on complaints from local residents, officials seized the idols. Hearing the case filed challenging this action, the HC had earlier, in April 2025, ordered that the idols be returned. Claiming that the officials had still not returned the idols despite this order, Karthik filed a contempt of court petition.
Hearing the petition, Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy noted the submissions of the government pleaders, who argued that poojas were being conducted even at midnight and that it was affecting the local public and the surrounding area. They also submitted that the petitioner was not entitled to build a temple in his residential premises, which is a poromboke land.
After hearing all sides, the judge directed the petitioner to go to the Tiruvottiyur Tahsildar’s office and collect the idols. After the petitioner received the idols, the judge closed the contempt case.
He further ordered that if loudspeakers were used in a manner that disturbs the public, the police may take appropriate action. If a temple has been constructed in the petitioner’s premises without permission, authorities may proceed according to law. Similarly, the judge directed the HR&CE department to take action if a hundi has been kept there.
The judge also observed that if a person peacefully worships idols in their own premises, the public cannot, in the name of majority, take the law into their own hands. He cautioned that government officials should not give in to such superstitions and false beliefs. He further stated that God or an idol will never harm any human being, and such beliefs were only superstitions and cannot be considered devotion.