The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on September 13, 2021 passed a Bill to make the encroachment of properties belonging to religious institutions a cognisable and non-bailable offence.
- The bill has amended the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959.
- 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.
- There are about five lakh acres of properties belonging to over 40,000 religious institutions, under the control of the HR&CE Department.
