A.Rajivgandhi v. The Superintendent Of Police
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 22.01.2026
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA W.P.(Crl.)No.94 of 2026 and W.P.M.P.(Crl.) No.24 of 2026 A.Rajiv Gandhi ... Petitioner Vs.
1.
The Superintendent of Police, Tiruvannamalai District.
2.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tiruvannamalai District.
3.
The Inspector of Police, Kalambur Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District.
4.
The Sub-Inspector of Police, Kalambur Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District.
... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition (Criminal) is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus or direction in the nature of writ, to call for the records related to the proceedings of the fourth respondent dated 03.01.2026 made in Na.Ka.No.02/K.Ka.Ne./2026 and quash the same and consequently, direct the respondents to grant permission to conduct a festival program namely, "Kandru Vidum Tiruvizha" on 27.01.2026 at 8.00 a.m. on the eve of Pongal 1/7
Festival day at Mariamman Kovil Street, Kalambur Village, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.
For Petitioner : Mr.L.P.Shanmugasundaram For Respondents : Mr.K.M.D.Muhilan Additional Public Prosecutor
O R D E R
The present Writ Petition (Criminal) has been filed seeking to set aside the order dated 03.01.2026 passed by the fourth respondent in Na.Ka.No.02/K.Ka.Ne./2026, rejecting the request made by the petitioner to conduct Kandru Vidum Thiruvizha in connection with the Pongal festival day and to grant permission for conducting the same. 2.
Mr.K.M.D.Muhilan, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, takes notice on behalf of the respondents.
3.
In view of the consent expressed by the learned counsel on either side, this Writ Petition (Criminal) is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
4.
The submissions of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner are as follows:- 2/7
4.1. The petitioner, a resident of Kalambur Village, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District, vide a representation dated 30.12.2025 addressed to the fourth respondent, had requested permission on behalf of their village to conduct Kandru Vidum Thiruvizha on the occasion of the Pongal festival day scheduled on 27.01.2026. However, the fourth respondent Police rejected the request by the impugned order in Na.Ka.No.02/K.Ka.Ne./2026, dated 03.01.2026, without ascertaining the ground reality and the purpose for which the function is proposed to be conducted.
4.2. The petitioner and his villagers have been conducting the Kandru Vidum Thiruvizha in their village without causing any disturbance to the general public and that the organizers will take all precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incident during the festival. Therefore, he prayed to quash the impugned order and sought permission to conduct the Kandru Vidum Thiruvizha on 27.01.2026. 5.
Learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that there is no notified place in Tiruvannamalai District for conducting Kandru Vidum Thiruvizha and that, apprehending a law and order problem, the petitioner's request was rejected. Therefore, the petition is liable to be dismissed. 3/7
6.
At this juncture, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that earlier, the petitioner had approached this Court by filing W.P.No.12259 of 2025 with a similar prayer, seeking permission to conduct a Kandru Vidum Thiruvizha in the same village and this Court, vide order dated 04.04.2025, after adverting to the decisions rendered by an Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court, disposed of the said petition by granting permission to conduct the Thiruvizha, subject to certain conditions and by directing the respondent police concerned to provide police protection.
7.
Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record, including the order dated 04.04.2025 passed by Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in W.P.No.12259 of 2025.
8.
Following the aforesaid order, this Court is inclined to set aside the impugned order passed by the fourth respondent. Accordingly, the impugned order dated 03.01.2026 in Na.Ka.No.02/K.Ka.Ne./2026 is hereby set aside and the fourth respondent is directed to grant permission and to provide adequate police protection for the Kandru Vidum Thiruvizha to be conducted by the petitioner on 27.01.2026 at 8.00 am., in connection with 4/7
Pongal festival day at Mariamman Kovil Street, Kalambur Village, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District, subject to the following conditions: a) The Kandru Vidum Thiruvizha in connection with Pongal Festival Day at Mariamman Kovil Street, Kalambur Village, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District, scheduled to be held on 27.01.2026 should be completed before 06.00 p.m or within the time permitted by the respondents; (b) The petitioner shall pay costs of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) to the fourth respondent police towards police protection;
(c) It shall be ensured that no harm is caused to the animals which are made to participate in the event; (d) There shall be a total ban on putting up any flex boards at the premises of the event representing any political party, any community or in support of any communal leader; (e) The function shall not affect either religious or communal harmony and shall be conducted without any discrimination based on caste;
(f) If there is violation of any one of the conditions imposed, the respondent police concerned is at liberty to take necessary action, as per law and stop such performance forthwith; and (g) Similarly, the police are directed to stop the function, if it is conducted beyond the permitted time limit. 5/7
9.
The fourth respondent is directed to issue necessary permission, incorporating the above conditions. It is open to fourth respondent police to impose any further restrictions or any conditions purely in the interest of preserving public order and tranquility. 10.
With the above directions, this Writ Petition (Criminal) stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is also closed.
22.01.2026 ham Note: Issue order copy by 23.01.2026.
To 1.
The Superintendent of Police, Tiruvannamalai District.
2.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tiruvannamalai District.
3.
The Inspector of Police, Kalambur Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District.
4.
The Sub-Inspector of Police, Kalambur Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District.
5.
The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.
6/7
A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA , J.
ham and W.P.M.P.(Crl.) No.24 of 2026 22.01.2026 7/7