The Madras High Court has stayed any construction or renovation in the ancient temples of the state till steps are taken for appointing a chairperson to the Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission. The bench had previously directed the State to set up the Heritage Commission within a month. The court thus directed the State to publish the advertisement in four leading Tamil newspapers and three English newspapers within a week. Thereafter, the court directed the state to scrutinize the applications and shortlist three names. Till this process was completed, the court directed that no construction and restoration works should be carried out in any of the ancient temples in the State.