S.R.Ramanathan v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 04.03.2024
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.SANJAY V.GANGAPURWALA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and WMP Nos.7585, 7586, 10297, 11149 and 11151 of 2022
1. S.R.Ramanathan
2. Dr.Prasanna Rajkumar
3. G.Sekhar
4. Annamalai
5. Dr.K.Maniratnam .. Petitioners -vs1. The District Collector, District Collector Office, Semmandalam, Cuddalore, Cuddalore District.
2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Chidambaram Subdivision, Lalkhan Street, Chidambaram.
3. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Chidambaram Subdovision, West Car Street, Chidambaram.
4. Sri Sabhanayagar Temple, Rep. by Secretary, Podhu Deekshithar, Chidambaram.
5. C.Raju .. Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1st to 3rd respondents to maintain law and order in and around the 4th respondent temple by ensuring that the access to the temple is not blocked and to prevent any form of protests in and around the temple and further directing the 5th respondent to refrain themselves from interfering with the religious rites and practices observed in the 4th respondent temple and interfere with the management.
For the Petitioners :
Mr.V.S.Nanda for Mr.M.Himavanth For the Respondents :
Mr.T.K.Saravanan, Government Advocate for RR 1 to 3 :
Mr.G.Chandrasekhar for R-4 :
Mr.S.Sathia Chandran for R-5 * * * * *
ORDER
(Made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) We have heard Mr.V.S.Nanda, learned counsel for the petitioners, Mr.T.K.Saravanan, learned Government Advocate for respondent Nos.1 to 3, Mr.G.Chandrasekhar, learned counsel for respondent No.4 and Mr.S.Sathia Chandran, learned counsel for respondent No.5.
2. The petitioners seek directions to the respondents 1 to 3 to
maintain law and order in and around the 4th respondent temple and further seeks to direct the 5th respondent not to interfere with the religious rites and practices observed in the 4th respondent temple.
3. The learned Government Advocate submits that a status report is filed by the second respondent and a peace meeting was conducted on 02.03.2022 and 08.03.2022. The status report further states that the District administration had taken all precautions to ensure law and order in the town. Para 9 of the status report further reads thus:
"9. It is stated that the District administration had maintained law and order in and around the temple and will maintain law and order in future also. It is stated that no one is blocked access inside the temple and the District administration will ensure that all devotees has access inside the temple and have dharshan peacefully. Moreover it is stated that the 4th respondent is also ensuring that the religious practices are observed in the temple as per tradition and rites followed till date. It is submitted that the District Administration will maintain law and order and public tranquility in Chidambaram Town."
In view of the status report, the writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
(S.V.G., CJ.) (D.B.C., J.) 04.03.2024 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No sra To
1. The District Collector, District Collector Office, Semmandalam, Cuddalore, Cuddalore District.
2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Chidambaram Subdivision, Lalkhan Street, Chidambaram.
3. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Chidambaram Subdovision, West Car Street, Chidambaram.
THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
(sra) 04.03.2024