Mathivanan v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 07-05-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI and WPMP Crl. Nos. 337 & 367 of 2026 Mathivanan S/o. Natarajan, Aariyagoundanur, Thethigiripatti, Mettur, Salem-636 451.

..Petitioner Vs

1. The District Collector

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer Mettur Dam,

3. The Deputy Superintendent of Police Mettur,

4. The Inspector of Police Mecheri,

5. Mannathan S/o. Sellamuthu, No.2/81, Aarigoundanur, Thethigiripatti Post, Mettur Taluk, Salem.

6. Govindhan S/o. Muthu, Aarigoundanur, Thethigiripatti Post, Mettur Taluk, Salem.

7. Balakrishnan S/o. Govindaraj, Aarigoundanur, Thethigiripatti Post, Mettur Taluk, Salem.

8. Manivannan S/o. Ganeshan, No.160/1, 230, Samrajpettai Post, Mecheri, Mettur Taluk,

9. Suresh S/o. Sundaram, Aarigoundanur, Thethigiripatti Post, Mettur Taluk, ..Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition (Criminal) filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records on the file of the 2nd respondent relating to the order dated 13-04-2026 in Proceedings no. NIL passed by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Mettur and quash the same and consequently consider the representation of the petitioner dated 30-03-2026 and grant adequate police protection to conduct the yearly festival namely Arulmigu Sri Veda Mariamman Thirukoil Chithirai Thiruvizha at Ariyagoundanur, Thethigiripatti Village, Mettur Taluk, Salem District. For Petitioner:

Mr.T. Sai Krishnan For Respondents:

Mr.A.Damodaran, Additional Public Prosecutor For Intervenor:

Mr.G.Kesavan

ORDER

Seeking to direct the respondent to call the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the second respondent dated 13.04.2026, quash the same and consequently consider the representation submitted by the petitioner dated 30.03.2026 and grant adequate police protection to conduct the annual festival, namely "Arulmigu Sri Veda Mariamman Thirukoil Chithirai Thiruvizha" at Ariyagoundanur, Thethigiripatti Village, Mettur Taluk, Salem District, this petition is filed.

2.

The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the application was submitted before the second respondent for grant of permission to conduct the annual festival, namely "Arulmigu Sri Veda Mariamman Thirukoil Chithirai Thiruvizha" at Ariyagoundanur, Thethigiripatti Village, Mettur Taluk, Salem District. However, the said application came to be rejected on the ground of the ongoing election process. He further submitted that the elections have already been concluded and therefore, the second respondent can very well give necessary permission to conduct the said festival. 3.In this regard, the second respondent is directed to forthwith conduct a peace committee meeting, after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner's faction as well as the respondents' 5 to 9 faction and thereafter,

conduct an enquiry within a period of one week, i.e., on or before 22.05.2026 and facilitate the peaceful conduct of the temple festival namely, Sri Veda Mariamman Thirukoil Chithirai Thiruvizha at Ariyagoundanur, Thethigiripatti Village, Mettur Taluk, Salem District. It is made clear that the fourth respondent shall provide adequate police protection for the peaceful conduct of the aforesaid temple festival.

4. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. No costs. 07-05-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Lpp/rpl To

1. The District Collector Salem

2. The Revenue Divisional Oficer Mettur Dam,

3. The Deputy Superintendent of Police Mettur,

4. The Inspector of Police Mecheri,

5. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras, Chennai.

L.VICTORIA GOWRI J.

Lpp/rpl and WPMP Crl. Nos. 337 & 367 of 2026 07-05-2026