K.Kathiravan v. The Commissioner
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 13.08.2025 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N. SATHISH KUMAR and W.M.P.No.17560 of 2023 K.Kathiravan ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Road Nungambakkam, Chennai.
2.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Villupuram, Villupuram District.
3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Villupuram District.
4.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Villupuram, Villupuram District.
5.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Draupadi Amman Temple, Melpadhi, Villupuram District.
6.K.Manivel ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records with respect to the order dated 07.06.2023 passed in Na.Ka.No.Aa1/1211/2023 passed by the 3rd respondent herein and to quash the same and consequently to direct the respondents 1 to 4 to enable the entry of members of Scheduled Caste Community into the Arulmigu Draupadi Amman Temple, Melpadhi Village, with necessary protection. For Petitioner :
Mr.B.Mohan For R1 to R5 :
Mr.K.M.D.Muhilan, Additional Public Prosecutor For R6 :
No appearance
O R D E R
This writ petition has been filed challenging the order dated 07.06.2023 passed in Na.Ka.No.Aa1/1211/2023 passed by the 3rd respondent herein and to direct the respondents 1 to 4 to enable the entry of members of Scheduled Caste Community into the Arulmigu Draupadi Amman Temple, Melpadhi Village, with necessary protection.
2.It is now brought to the notice of this Court that, in connected writ petitions filed by one G.Ganthi and Raji in W.P.Nos.19128 and 21769 of 2023, this Court, by order dated 20.02.2025, has quashed the impugned orders therein passed by the Revenue Divisional Officer and permitted all the general pubic, irrespective of their community, to worship the deity of the Temple; if any law and order issue arises between any community people, the 2nd respondent therein is directed to take stringent action against the person who committed the offence, in accordance with law. 3.Now, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor would submit that all the general public are being allowed inside the Temple. This Court is of the view that the order passed by this Court in W.P.Nos.19128 and 21769 of 2023, dated 20.02.2025, will take care of the situation.
However, it is the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioner that, despite allowing of the earlier writ petitions, even now, there is some restriction placed by the Police. It is made clear that there shall not be any restriction. The order of this Court shall be complied with in letter and spirit.
Public Prosecutor, on instructions, assures that there will not be any such restriction and all the general public will be allowed inside the Temple. 4.Accordingly, the impugned order passed by the 3rd respondent is quashed and this writ petition is allowed with the above directions. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 13.08.2025 mkn Internet : Yes Index : Yes / No Speaking order : Yes / No To 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Road Nungambakkam, Chennai.
2.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Villupuram, Villupuram District.
3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Villupuram District.
4.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Villupuram, Villupuram District.
5.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Draupadi Amman Temple, Melpadhi, Villupuram District.
N. SATHISH KUMAR, J.
mkn
13.08.2025