R.Ramanadhan v. The District Collector

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 26.07.2023

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH R.Ramanadhan S/o.R.Ramachandran

...Petitioner

Vs 1.The District Collector, Office of District Collector, Cuddalore District.

2.The Tahsildar, Virudhachalam Taluk, Cuddalore District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Neyveli Police Station, Cuddalore District.

4.Krishnaraj S/o.Govindaraj ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 3 to grant permission and protection for the Mahakumbabishekam Temple Festival to be held on 28.07.2023 in Arulmighu Sri Muthumariamman Temple, Ponanguppam Village, Vadakuthu Post, Kurinchipadi Taluk, Cuddalore.

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For Petitioner : Mr.Ali Hassan Khan For Respondents : Mr.A.Damodaran Additional Public Prosecutor [R1 to R3] *****

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed for a direction to the respondent police to grant police protection for conducting the Mahakumbabishekam Temple Festival on 28.07.2023 in Arulmighu Sri Muthumariamman Temple, Ponanguppam Village, Vadakuthu Post, Kurinchipadi Taluk, Cuddalore.

2. Heard learned counsel for petitioner and learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of respondents 1 to 3.

3. It is brought to the notice of this Court that already a Peace Committee Meeting was conducted by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kurinchipadi and considering the volatile situation, a direction was given to conduct the regular poojas and not to do anything else.

4. In the considered view of this Court, the police will not interfere 2/4

into the dispute involving temple festivals. If anyone creates any law and order problem during the temple festival, action will be taken against them and conduct of the temple festival will be stopped by the police. This Court has already expressed its mind in an earlier order passed in W.P.No.21707 of 2023, dated 21.07.2023. The same will apply to the present case also.

5. If the condition imposed by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kurinchipadi, in the proceedings dated 12.06.2023 has been complied with, it is left open to the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kurinchipadi, to lift the bar to enable the Kumbabishekam to be conducted.

This Writ Petition is disposed of in the above terms. No costs. 26.07.2023 Index : Yes/No Speaking order:Yes/No gm N.ANAND VENKATESH, J 3/4

gm To 1.The District Collector, Office of District Collector, Cuddalore District.

2.The Tahsildar, Virudhachalam Taluk, Cuddalore District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Neyveli Police Station, Cuddalore District.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

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