Madras High CourtWP/29316/2023disposed of

R.Thangaraj v. District Collector

2025-02-20Honourable Mr Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan5 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 20.02.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN and W.M.P. No.28944 of 2023 R.Thangaraj ....

Petitioner Vs 1.District Collector, Salem, Fort Main Road, Salem, Tamil Nadu 636 001.

2.Superintendent of Police Salem, Nathimedu, Salem 636 002.

3.Navapatti Panchayat, Rep. By its President, Mettur, Salem 636 452.

4.Periyasami 5.Munusamy 6.Arumugam 7.Chithaiyan 8.Balan 9.Andiappan 10.Sekar 11.Mairappan

12.Ramesh 13.Mohan Raj 14.Munusamy 15.Muthusamy 16.Govindaraj 17.Kumaresan 18.Rajesh ....

Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of Writ of Mandamus for directing the respondents 1 and 2 to take action on the representation dated 07.08.2023 submitted by the petitioner and restore the right to worship in Sree Sakthi Mariamman Temple, Navapatti Panchayat, Mettur, Salem District. For Petitioner : Ms.S.Nandhini Devi For Respondents : Mr.P.Balanthandayutham, Special Government Pleader for R1 Mr.K.M.D.Muhilan, Government Advocate (Criminal Side) for R2

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed for a direction directing the respondents 1 and 2 to take action on the representation dated 07.08.2023 submitted by the petitioner and restore the right to worship in Sree Sakthi Mariamman Temple, Navapatti Panchayat, Mettur, Salem District.

2. The crux of the complaint is that the petitioner and his family members were excommunicated from the village and they were not permitted to worship Sree Sakthi Mariamman Temple situated in Navapatti Panchayat, Mettur, Salem District . 3.Though, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that on 10.02.2025, the Kumbabishekam was conducted for the said temple, in which the petitioner's contribution was not received by the villagers, on perusal of the counter filed by the second respondent and also the submissions made by the petitioner, now the petitioner and his family members are permitted to worship and they are never excommunicated from the village

4. In view of the above, the petitioner and his family members are permitted to worship Sree Sakthi Mariamman Temple, Navapatti

Panchayat, if any interference by the respondents 3 to 18 herein, the petitioner is at liberty to approach the second respondent and on receipt of the same, the second respondent is directed to take action in accordance with law.

5. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. Connected Miscellaneous Petition is also closed. No costs. 20.02.2025 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No Speaking/non-speaking order rkp To 1.District Collector, Salem, Fort Main Road, Salem, Tamil Nadu 636 001.

2.Superintendent of Polcie Salem, Nathimedu, Salem 636 002.

3.Navapatti Panchayat, Rep. By its President, Mettur, Salem 636 452.

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

rkp

and W.M.P. No.28944 of 2023 20.02.2025