S.Senkottaiyan v. The Superintendent Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 12.03.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR S. Senkottaiyan, Managing Trustee, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Trust, Maachampalayam, Moliyapalli Village, Tiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District.

... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Superintendent of Police, Namakkal District, Namakkal.

2.The Inspector of Police, Rural Police Station, Thiruchengode, Namakkal District.

3.K. Saravanan ... Respondents Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a writ of direction, fore bearing the respondents 1 and 2 from giving any permission and police protection to the 3rd respondent or any other person to conduct any festival separately, in our private temple Sree Maha Mariamman temple situated in Moliyappalli 1/6

Village, Maachampalayam, Thiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District on the basis of the petitioner's complaint dated 13.08.2025, 19.08.2025 and 26.02.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr. A.E. Kalaiselvan For Respondents: Mr. Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, for R1 & R2 Additional Public Prosecutor

O R D E R

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking to restrain respondents 1 and 2 from granting any permission or providing police protection to the 3rd respondent or any other person to conduct any festival separately in our private temple, namely Sree Maha Mariamman Temple situated at Moliyappalli Village, Maachampalayam, Thiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District, based on the petitioner's complaints dated 13.08.2025, 19.08.2025 and 26.02.2026.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has sent a representation on 26.02.2026 to the Superintendent of Police, Namakkal, Inspector of Police, Rural Police Station, Thiruchengode, against one Saravanan S/o. Karuppan. The averments in the complaint are that the said third respondent, Saravanan had obtained two orders from this Court in 2/6

W.P.No.6318 of 2024 filed by the petitioner and in W.P.No.321 of 2026 filed by the said Saravanan.

2.1. It is further stated that the said Saravanan had suppressed the above facts and obtained orders and based on the said orders, he claimed a right to conduct a festival in the temple. The petitioner has already taken steps to initiate appropriate action against the said Saravanan. It is further averred that the said Saravanan, by making false representations and producing improper documents, has been deceiving the authorities and claiming rights over the temple. Hence, the petitioner seeks appropriate action.

3. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents 1 and 2 submitted that there is a rivalry between two groups and that a peace committee meeting was held, in which the petitioner has been arrayed as 'A' party and the Saravanan group has been arrayed 'B' party. The 'B' party conducted the temple festival from 17.02.2026 to 26.02.2026. Thereafter, the petitioner's 'A' party conducted the festival from 03.03.2026 to 09.03.2026.

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4. It is seen that it is an intra-party dispute between the villagers with regard to the administration and conduct of the festival of Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Trust. If the petitioner claims any right over the management and conduct of the festival, the petitioner can very well approach the HR&CE Department to obtain appropriate declaration. It is not in dispute that the temple is situated on public land. Hence, it cannot be termed as a private temple.

5. In view of the above, it is seen that the dispute relates to the rights claimed by two groups, which is disputed by either of them and cannot be decided in a writ petition. At this stage, the learned counsel for the petitioner seeks permission to withdraw this petition. Permission is granted.

6. Accordingly, this Writ Petition (Criminal) is dismissed as withdrawn. No costs.

12.03.2026 AT 4/6

To 1.The Superintendent of Police, Namakkal District, Namakkal.

2.The Inspector of Police, Rural Police Station, Thiruchengode, Namakkal District.

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.

AT 12.03.2026 6/6