“The court emphasized that the trial court should determine whether the documents executed by the 292nd pontiff should be declared null and void and whether the appointment of Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal as the 293rd pontiff is valid. These matters are to be adjudicated based on their merits and in accordance with the law,” the court stated
Chennai: Recently, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court rejected a revision petition filed by Nithyananda Swami challenging an order that allowed Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal to replace Sri Arunagirinatha Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal as the 292nd head of the Madurai Aadheenam in a 2012 lawsuit.
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The lawsuit sought various reliefs, including the cancellation of documents through which the 292nd pontiff appointed Nithyananda as his successor. It also aimed to restrain Nithyananda and his followers from interfering with the Madurai Aadheenam’s administration.
The court, presided over by Justice R Vijayakumar, declined to intervene in Sri Harihara Swamigal’s amendment application, clarifying that his substitution was solely for continuing the suit and did not confer additional legal advantages.
The court emphasized that the validity of the documents signed by the 292nd pontiff and the legitimacy of Sri Harihara Swamigal’s appointment would be determined by the trial court based on merit and legal standards.
“The court emphasized that the trial court should determine whether the documents executed by the 292nd pontiff should be declared null and void and whether the appointment of Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambanda Desiga Paramachariya Swamigal as the 293rd pontiff is valid. These matters are to be adjudicated based on their merits and in accordance with the law,”
the court clarified.
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Nithyananda’s counsel asserted that allowing Sri Harihara Swamigal to substitute as the 293rd pontiff would effectively decide the main suit prematurely, which they argued was legally impermissible. They also contended that since the suit was filed by the 292nd pontiff personally, no right passed to Sri Harihara Swamigal to seek substitution.
In contrast, Sri Harihara Swamigal’s counsel pointed out that his appointment had been officially recognized, making him entitled to substitution under the law.
Accordingly, the High court dismissed the revision petition, directing the trial court to decide these issues according to law.
Case Title: Sri Nithyanadha Swami v. Sri La Sri Harihara and 2 Others
