K.Sathiche Kumar v. The Chief Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 11.06.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH and W.M.P.No.23234 of 2025 K.Sathiche Kumar S/o.K.Kannan Petitioner Vs 1.The Chief Secretary, Puducherry State.
2.The Collector, Puducherry.
3.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious snd Charitable Endowment, Puducherry.
4.The Superintendent of Police, Puducherry West, Puducherry.
5.The Inspector of Police, Nettappakkam Police Station, Puducherry.
Respondents 1/6
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents not to permit any procession or any festival near to the Arulmigu Sri Sengulathu Iyyanar and Sri Droupathi Amman Temple by any outsiders except the villagers of Eripakkam, Nettappakkam Commune, Puducherry, by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 04.06.2025 in order to keep peace and harmony among the residents of Eripakkam village and Nathamedu village.
For Petitioner : Mr.C.Umashankar For Respondents : Mr.R.Sreedhar, Additional Government Pleader [P] *****
O R D E R
A memo has been filed to the effect that the relief sought for in the writ petition, by oversight, has been mistakenly stated. Acting on this memo, relief sought for in the writ petition is as follows: "It is therefore prayed that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents not to permit any procession or any festival near to the Arulmigu Sri Sengulathu Iyyanar and Sri Droupathi Amman Temple by any outsiders except the villagers of Eripakkam, Nettappakkam Commune, Puducherry, by considering the representation of the petitioner dated 04.06.2025 in order to keep peace and harmony among the residents of Eripakkam village and Nathamedu village and grant such other suitable orders and thus render justice."
2. The writ petition has been filed seeking issuance of a writ of 2/6
mandamus directing the respondents not to permit any procession or festival near Arulmigu Sri Sengulathu Iyyanar and Sri Droupathi Amman Temple by any outsiders except the persons belonging to Eripakkam, Nettappakkam Commune, Puducherry, by considering the representation made by the petitioner on 04.06.2025.
3. Heard Mr.C.Umashankar, learned counsel for petitioner and Mr.R.Sreedhar, learned Additional Government Pleader [P] appearing for respondents.
4. The main grievance expressed by the petitioner is that during the year 2014, villagers from outside visited the temple and they insisted for taking their deities (urchavars) from their village and do the pooja inside the sanctum. This led to violence. Once again, a similar attempt is now being made and there is a potential apprehension that it will once again cause breach of peace. Hence, representation was made by the petitioner in this regard. Since the same was not considered, the present writ petition has been filed.
5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and 3/6
taking note of the previous incident which has taken place in the year 2014 and in order to ensure that the festival and the procession is conducted in a peaceful manner, there shall be a direction to the District Collector (Revenue-South), Puducherry, Superintendent of Police, Puducherry (West) and the Commissioner of Hindu Religious Institution, Puducherry, to call for a meeting and to talk with the respective parties. They shall ensure that the procession and the festival goes on in a smooth manner without giving rise to any breach of peace. This process shall be completed as expeditiously as possible.
6. A copy of this order shall be marked to the District Collector (Revenue - South), Puducherry.
This writ petition is disposed of with the above direction. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 11.06.2025 Note : Issue today [11.06.2025] Index: Yes/no Speaking Order/Non-Speaking Order gm To 4/6
1.The Chief Secretary, Puducherry State.
2.The Collector, Puducherry.
3.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious snd Charitable Endowment, Puducherry. 4.The Superintendent of Police, Puducherry West, Puducherry.
5.The Inspector of Police, Nettappakkam Police Station, Puducherry.
6.The District Collector (Revenue - South), Puducherry.
N.ANAND VENKATESH, J 5/6
gm 11.06.2025 6/6