“Hindu Munnani and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) persons had grabbed temple lands worth several hundred crores of rupees. I have redeemed those properties from illegal enjoyment and hence they got irritated and filed this writ of quo warranto petition against me,” Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister P.K. Sekarbabu told the Madras High Court on Tuesday.
In a counter-affidavit filed before Justice Anita Sumanth, the Minister said 5,780.97 acres of temple property worth ₹5,334.08 crore had been retrieved from illegal occupation since he assumed office as HR&CE Minister in May 2021. Of the total extent, a very conservative estimate itself would show that lands worth ₹162.41 crore had been recovered from “Hindutva persons,” he contended.
“Their self claimed religious faith is only to enjoy temple properties illegally on permanent basis. Since I made efforts with the officers of the HR&CE department to redeem those properties, they have filed the writ petition (questioning the authority under which he was continuing to be a legislator despite participating in a conclave on annihilation of Sanatana Dharma) in a mala fide manner,” the counter-affidavit charged.
