The Madras High Court on Friday granted four weeks' time to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and revenue authorities to submit their report on the joint survey conducted at Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai.
Court Order on Contempt Petition
A division bench comprising Justice G R Swaminathan and Justice S Srimathy passed the order while hearing a contempt petition filed by K K Ramesh, the managing trustee of Hindu Dharma Parishad in Madurai. The petition sought compliance with an earlier court order passed in 2025.
Joint Survey Completion
The court issued the directive after the authorities informed that the joint survey of Thiruparankundram hill had been completed. They requested additional time to file the survey report. During a previous hearing, the court had instructed the Madurai district collector to facilitate the joint survey in coordination with the ASI and complete it by May.
Background of the Case
Earlier, the petitioner had approached the court seeking a direction to bring the entire Thiruparankundram hill under the control of the central government and the ASI. In February 2025, the court disposed of the petition, granting liberty to Hindu Dharma Parishad to submit a fresh representation to the Centre and the ASI. The authorities were directed to consider the representation and pass appropriate orders after providing an opportunity to all concerned parties, as expeditiously as possible.
