Raman v. The District Collector
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 25.06.2025 CORAM :
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH W.P.No.18648 of 2025 Raman S/o Kannappan ..
Petitioner v.
1. The District Collector Collectorate Building Dharmapuri District
2. The District Revenue Officer Collectorate Building Dharmapuri District
3. The Revenue Divisional Officer RDO Office, Dharmapuri District
4. The Tahsildar Taluk Office Palacode Taluk Dharmapuri District
5. Udhayan S/o Kalan ..
Respondents Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying
for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 3rd respondent to consider and dispose the appeal dated 20.01.2025 preferred by the petitioner seeking permission for conducting Kumbabishekam celebrations including Kudamuzhaku and also pongal festival at Arulmigu Sri Kollimariamman Tirukoil situate at Belluhalli Village, Thirumalvadi Post, Palacode Taluk, Dharmapuri District in any future date.
For Petitioner ::
Mr.D.Rameshkumar For Respondents ::
Mr.T.M.Rajangam Government Advocate for R1 to R4 Mr.C.Prabakaran for R5
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed for a direction to the third respondent to consider and dispose the appeal dated 20.01.2025 preferred by the petitioner seeking permission for conducting Kumbabishekam celebrations including Kudamuzhaku and also pongal festival at Arulmigu Sri Kollimariamman Thirukoil situate at Belluhalli Village, Thirumalvadi Post, Palacode Taluk, Dharmapuri District in any future date.
2. When the writ petition came up for hearing on 04.06.2025, this Court passed the following order:-
"Mr.T.M.Rajangam, learned Government Advocate takes notice for respondents 1 to 4. Notice to the 5th respondent returnable by 25.06.2025. Private notice is also permitted.
2. On going through the written instructions received from the 4th respondent, it is seen that there is constant dispute between both sides from the year 2023 onwards. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the Kumbabishekam celebrations can take place in the temple and both the parties can participate. However, instructions received from the Tahsildar shows that both the parties are seeking priority while celebrating the festival. This issue can be resolved only in the presence of the fifth respondent.
3. Hence, post this writ petition under the caption 'For Orders' on 25.06.2025."
3. Heard Mr.D.Rameshkumar, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr.T.M.Rajangam, learned Government Advocate for the official respondents and Mr.C.Prabakaran, learned counsel for the private respondent.
4. On considering the written instructions given by the fourth respondent, it is seen that there is constant dispute between the parties. However, the celebrations must go on in a peaceful manner. That requires the participation of both sides without giving rise to any law and order problem. Hence, the fourth respondent shall ensure that both the parties participate during the celebrations and the Superintendent of Police, Dharmapuri District shall provide necessary police protection to ensure that no law and order problem is created during the celebrations.
5. Since the petitioner is insisting for the contribution from the side of the fifth respondent in order to celebrate the festival and the same is not given by the fifth respondent, it is contended that the fifth respondent cannot participate in the festival without contributing money.
6. The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the fifth respondent submitted that the fifth respondent and others were actually conducting the festival for a long time and it is only because of the intervention of the petitioner, it was stopped last year. The learned counsel submitted that the
fifth respondent will conduct the festival and the petitioner can participate in the same This submission made by the learned counsel for fifth respondent is recorded.
7. It is made abundantly clear that if at any point the parties resort to violence, the fourth respondent shall take over and complete the formalities and the police will initiate action against the persons who perpetrate such violence. Such direction is given to ensure that the parties conduct the festival only to get the blessings of God and they should not be involving in unwanted fights driven by their own ego. It goes without saying that the regular customary practices that are normally followed, shall be followed at the time of celebrations.
8. This writ petition is disposed of in the above terms. No costs. Index : yes/no 25.06.2025 ss
To
1. The District Collector Collectorate Building Dharmapuri District
2. The District Revenue Officer Collectorate Building Dharmapuri District
3. The Revenue Divisional Officer RDO Office, Dharmapuri District
4. The Tahsildar Taluk Office Palacode Taluk Dharmapuri District
5. The Superintendent of Police Dharmapuri District
N.ANAND VENKATESH,J.
ss W.P.No.18648 of 2025 25.06.2025