Vil Krishnan v. The State Rep By, The Deputy Superintendent Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 25.07.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN Vil Krishnan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.

The State Rep.by its The District Superintendent of Police, Dharmapuri District.

2.

The Inspector of Police, B-1 Town Police Station, Dharmapuri.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records of the second respondent in Na.Ka.No.19 Ka.Aaa/Dharmapuri/ forecast/2025 dated 30.06.2025 and quash the same as illegal consequently direct the second respondent to grant permission to hold peaceful agitation on 28.08.2025 near BSNL Office, Dharmapuri District to secure the ends of justice.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Sankarasubbu For Respondents : Dr.C.E.Pratap Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/6

O R D E R

The Writ Petition has been filed seeking for issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records of the second respondent in Na.Ka.No.19 Ka.Aaa/Dharmapuri/forecast/2025 dated 30.06.2025 and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the second respondent to grant permission to hold peaceful agitation on 28.08.2025 near BSNL Office, Dharmapuri District to secure the ends of justice.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for respondents and perused the materials available on record.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has given a representation dated 30.06.2025 to the respondents-Police seeking permission to conduct a public meeting on 04.07.2025 in order to support the cause of tribal people in Chhattisgarh, who were killed in the name of Eradicate Maoist. However, the second respondent-Police vide impugned order dated 30.06.2025 arbitrarily rejected the representation of the petitioner, without affording due opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. Hence the impugned order may 2/6

be set aside.

4. Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondents-Police, on instructions, submitted that since the area where the public meeting is scheduled to be conducted is surrounded by several Government Offices and Schools, therefore, in order to prevent the law and order problem and traffic congestion, the request for conducting public meeting on 04.07.2025 has been rejected.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances and also considering the submissions made by learned counsel on either side, this Court is of view that there are no specific reasons given for rejecting the representation of the petitioner seeking to conduct the public meeting at Dharmapuri District and therefore, the impugned rejection order dated 30.06.2025 passed by the second respondent/Police, is hereby quashed. However, the petitioner is directed to submit a fresh representation fixing the date and venue of the public meeting/peaceful agitation to the respondents/Police, and on receipt of the same, the respondents/Police are directed to consider said representation and pass orders on merits and 3/6

in accordance with law, after giving due opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and interested parties.

6. As per Article 19 of the Constitution of India, every citizen has got a right to express their views. Further, the said right/freedom is not absolute and is subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of the State, public order and other relevant factors. Therefore, both the petitioner and respondents are directed to bear in mind the object and scope of Article 19 of the Constitution of India and strictly adhere to the said Article.

7. With the above observations and directions, the Writ Petition is disposed. There shall be no order as to costs. 25.07.2025 Index: Yes/No Speaking Order : Yes/No ms 4/6

To 1.

The District Superintendent of Police, Dharmapuri District.

2.

The Inspector of Police, B-1 Town Police Station, Dharmapuri.

3.

The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

5/6

P.VELMURUGAN, J ms 25.07.2025 6/6