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Madras High CourtWP Crl./964/2026disposed of

K.Krishnamoorthy v. The State Rep. By The Secretary

2026-04-27Honourable Mr Justice M. Nirmal Kumar7 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 27-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR and W.P.M.P.Crl.No.319 of 2026 K.Krishnamoorthi S/o. Parasuraman, No.167, Paada Salai Street, Murugapadi Village and Post, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The State Rep. by The Secretary, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

3. The District Collector, O/o. District Collector, Tiruvannamalai District-606 604.

4. The Superintendent of Police, O/o. Superintendent of Police, Tiruvannamalai District.

5. The Revenue Divisional Officer O/o. Revenue Divisional Officer, Arani Division, Tiruvannamalai District.

6. The Joint Commissioner, HR and CE Department, Tiruvannamalai-606 601.

7. The Tahsildar Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District - 606 803.

8. The Inspector of Police, Polur Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District - 606 803.

9. Babu S/o. Periyathambi, Murugapadi Village and Post, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.

10.Arimuthu S/o. Kailasam, Murugapadi Village and Post, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai Distirct.

11.Sankar S/o. Gopal, Murugapadi Village and Post, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.

12.Ramakrishnan S/o. Varadhan, Murugapadi Village and Post, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.

13.Subramani S/o. Palani, Murugapadi Village and Post, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District.

..Respondent(s)

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 4 and 8 to ensure that participation of village members in Thandu Mariyamman temple festival and should not be prevented in the name of caste which is scheduled to be held from 18-5-2026 to 27-5-2026 at Murugapadi Village, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District pursuant to petitioner's representation dated 16.03.2026. For Petitioner(s):

Mr.R.Thirumoorthy For Respondents4 & 8:

Mr.L.Baskaran Government Advocate (Crl. Side) Assisted by Ms.Harshana, T.

ORDER

The Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents 4 and 8 to ensure the participation of village members in Thandu Mariyamman temple festival and they should not be prevented in the name of caste which is scheduled to be held from 18.05.2026 to 27.05.2026 at Murugapadi Village, Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District pursuant to petitioner's representation dated 16.03.2026.

2.The contention of the learned counsel for petitioner is that the petitioner belongs to Veerakudi Vellalar community and 70 families in the village belongs to the said community. Apart from this community, 80 families in Agamudayar community, 10 families in Vanniyar community and 10 families in Vannar community are residing in that village. In the petitioner's village, there is a temple named Thandu Mariamman Kovil, which was maintained by the

Veerakudi Vellalar community and Agamudayar community for generations and they are conducting temple festival. During the year 2025, there was a dispute and Peace Committee meeting was held before the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO). Since particular community not co-operated for conducting the temple festival jointly, the RDO passed an order restraining the conduct of the temple festival until the issue is settled between the parties. But contrary to the same, the temple festival was conducted by the other group and there was a commotion and complaint lodged in this regard, but no action has been taken. In the year, 2025 the 9th respondent filed W.P.(Crl).No.173 of 2025 before this Court seeking permission to conduct temple festival without the petitioner's group and this Court, by an order dated 27.06.

2025 observed that the caste can never be a factor which can be considered for conduct of the temple events and dismissed the petition. This year also the same situation prevails. Hence, the petitioner had sent a representation on 16.03.2026 to the official respondents 1 to 8. Since no action has been taken, the present writ petition is filed. 3.The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) submitted that the 11th respondent had sent a representation to the RDO on behalf of the villagers and the 8th respondent also sent communication in Na.Ka.No.09/E1PS/2026, dated 25.03.2026 seeking RDO to conduct enquiry and resolve the issue.

group on the caste basis and in the traditional gruel offering festival, the gruel is offered to the particular community people alone and there is no brotherhood and a marked social segregation found between the parties. For that reason, it was sent to RDO for Peace Committee meeting to resolve the issue. 4.In view of the above, this Court directs the official respondents 1 to 8 to proceed with the Peace Committee meeting and to ensure that there is no caste basis division or discrimination during the conduct of temple festival. If the issue is resolved and peace prevails with the participation of one and all in the village, the temple festival shall be conducted. It is seen that it is a non-listed temple under the control of HR & CE but a public temple. In view of the same, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, HR & CE, shall, either by himself or through his officials, appoint a Special Officer to supervise and conduct the festival by ensuring the participation of all villagers in the festival without any discrimination.

5.With the above directions, the Writ Petition is disposed of. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 27-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order RSI Note: Issue order copy on 04.05.2026

To

1. The Secretary Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Secretariat, Chennai-600 009.

2. The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.

3. The District Collector O/o. District Collector, Tiruvannamalai District-606 604.

4. The Superintendent of Police O/o. Superintendent of Police, Tiruvannamalai District.

5. The Revenue Divisional Officer O/o. Revenue Divisional Officer, Arani Division, Tiruvannamalai District.

6. The Joint Commissioner HR and CE Department, Tiruvannamalai-606 601.

7. The Tahsildar Polur Taluk, Tiruvannamalai District - 606 803.

8. The Inspector of Police Polur Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District - 606 803.

9. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madrs.

M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.

RSI and W.P.M.P.Crl.No.319 of 2026 27-04-2026