Grabbing temple land is a cognisable offence now

There are about five lakh acres of properties belonging to over 40,000 religious institutions, under HR&CE Department

The Assembly on Monday passed a Bill to make the encroachment of properties belonging to religious institutions a cognisable and non-bailable offence, amending the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959. There are about five lakh acres of properties belonging to over 40,000 religious institutions, under the control of the HR&CE Department. As per sub section (3) of Section 79-B of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959, no court shall take cognisance of an offence of unlawful possession of any property belonging to a charitable or religious institution or endowment, except on the complaint in writing from the Commissioner.