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Madras High CourtWP/7433/2024disposed of

Vijaya, v. The Commissioner Of Police,

2024-03-20Honourable Mr Justice N. Anand Venkatesh4 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 20.03.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH W.P No.7433 of 2024 Vijaya

...Petitioner

Vs.

1.The Commissioner of Police, Salem, Salem District.

2.The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Salem South, Salem District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Annadhanapatti Police Station, Salem District.

4.The Tahsildar, Salem South, Salem District.

5.The Management Committee, Rep. by its President, Shri Mariamman Temple, Seelanaickenpatti, Salem, Salem District.

6.C.Selvam 7.K.M.Gopi 1/4

8.S.K.S.Santhosh Kumar

...Respondents

PRAYER : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, pleased to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 3 to grant police protection for conducting the election on 24.03.2024 to constitute the management committee for Sri Mariamman Temple Seelanaickenpatti, Salem by including the female residents of the Seelanaickenpatti Village in the electoral roll and permitting them to cast the vote by considering the representation dated on 12.03.2024.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Rajarajan For Respondents : Mr.A.Damodaran Additional Public Prosecutor for R1 to R3

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed for for a direction to the respondents 1 to 3 to grant police protection during the election of the Management Committee of Sri Mariamman Temple on 24.03.2024.

2.The apprehension of the petitioner is that for the first time, the women are also permitted to cast their vote during the election. This is opposed by some of the male members and therefore, it is possible that some law and order problem will be created. The election is conducted by the 5th respondent. 2/4

3.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor on instructions submitted that the police are now busy with the election duty and therefore, if any law and order problem is created, it will be very difficult to manage the situation. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that if the election is conducted after 19.04.2024, the 3rd respondent is willing to give police protection. 4.In the light of the above stand taken by the respondent police, it is left open to the 5th respondent to proceed further with the election on 24.03.2024. If any attempt is made to stop the election by protesting against women voters, the election shall be postponed after 19.04.2024. A fresh representation shall be given by fixing a date after 19.04.2024 before the 3rd respondent and necessary police protection shall be given on the receipt of the representation. 5.This writ petition is disposed of with the above directions. No Costs. 20.03.2024 Index: Yes/No Speaking order/Non-speaking Order ssr 3/4

N.ANAND VENKATESH, J ssr To 1.The Commissioner of Police, Salem, Salem District.

2.The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Salem South, Salem District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Annadhanapatti Police Station, Salem District.

4.The Tahsildar, Salem South, Salem District.

5.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

W.P No.7433 of 2024 20.03.2024 4/4