The Madras High Court disposed of a Petition filed seeking direction to the respondents to take necessary action to prevent or take suitable steps against the compulsory demand of money by the barbers from the devotees of Lord Murugan in Arulmighu Palani Thandayuthapani Thirukovil, Palani, Dindigul District.
The counsel for the petitioner submits that barbers demand additional amount from the devotees who come to tonsure the head at Lord Murugan Temple in Palani Thandayuthapani Thirukovil, Palani, Dindigul District. Regulatory measures are to be taken by the respondent authorities by preventing the barbers from demanding additional amount.
The Advocate for the respondent No.2 (The Joint Commissioner) submits that since the year 2021, the tonsure is done free of costs. The temple authorities have appointed their own barbers and no amount is collected by the barbers individually. Even CCTV Cameras are installed. The 12 barbers who were demanding additional amount from the devotees were suspended by respondent No.2. The barbers cannot extract money from the devotees for tonsure of head.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan observed that the petition is of the year 2014.
It is submitted that regulatory measures were taken in the year 2021.
“In the light of the statement made by the learned counsel for respondent No.2, the grievance of the petitioner would not now survive for adjudication. In case, some acts are noticed, it is for the petitioner to approach the authorities concerned”, the order reads.