A.Babu v. The District Collector,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

Dated: 25.08.2025 Coram:

THE HONOURABLE Mr.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR W.P.(Crl.)No.664 of 2025 A.Babu

...Petitioner

Vs.

1. The District Collector, Collectorate Cuddalore, Cuddalore District - 607 001

2. The Superintendent of Police, Manjakuppam, Cuddalore, Cuddalore District - 607 001

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Manjakuppam, Cuddalore CuddaloreDistrict - 607 001

4. The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Panruti, Cuddalore District

5. The Inspector of Police, Kadampuliyur Police Station, Kadampuliyur, Cuddalore District - 607 103

6. R.Dhanapathi

...Respondents

Prayer:

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 5 to consider the petitioner's representation to conduct the Muthalamman Temple Festival at Meliruppu Page 1 / 5

Village, Panruti, Cuddalore District from 28.08.2025 to 06.09.2025 and further provide protection from the 6th respondent and his henchmen for the smooth conduct of the same.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.R.Samratt For Respondents : Mr.R.Vinothraja for R1 to R5 Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Mr.C.Kanagaraj for R6

O R D E R

The petitioner has preferred the present petition seeking police protection to conduct Muthalamman Temple Festival at Meliruppu Village in the Panruti Taluk.

2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondents 1 to 5 and the learned counsel appearing for the 6th respondent and perused the documents placed on record.

3. It is relevant to note that on earlier occasion, the present petitioner was arrayed as 5th respondent in W.P.No.18062 of 2025 and in the said petition, similar direction was sought for by the 6th respondent in respect of the same temple and this Court by an order dated 10.06.2025 has observed as follows:- Page 2 / 5

"4. According to the petitioner and the fifth respondent, there is a convention and practice regarding the performance of the said Temple festival. After 1950, when the Constitution of India came into force, all are equal before law and also in the same way every one has got right to worship the public Temple. Whatever the convention adopted earlier prior to the Constitution, the same manner may not be adopted. After Constitution of India came into force, if that convention gives any priority to any particular group or persons, no discrimination is permitted.

5. However, both the petitioner and fifth respondent, who appeared in person before this Court have given a consent that they have no objection to conduct the Temple festival without any priority and discrimination."

and both the present petitioner, who was arrayed as 5th respondent and 6th respondent in present petition, who was the petitioner have agreed to conduct the festival without any priority and discrimination. Having agreed before this Court, now, no one can seek the priority right in conducting festival. In such view of the matter, having given the consent before this Court to conduct festival in a peaceful manner, now, no one has right to seek priority right. The 4th respondent is directed to give protection only when both the groups together are agreeing for conducting of festival and if they have not chosen to come together for peaceful conduct of festival, the police need not Page 3 / 5

issue any proceeding and in fact, the police can take action as per law in the event of any law and order issue arises.

In the result, the present petition is disposed of. No costs. 25.08.2025 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Speaking Order / Non Speaking Order ssd To

1. The District Collector, Collectorate Cuddalore, Cuddalore District - 607 001

2. The Superintendent of Police, Manjakuppam, Cuddalore, Cuddalore District - 607 001

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Manjakuppam, Cuddalore CuddaloreDistrict - 607 001

4. The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Panruti, Cuddalore District

5. The Inspector of Police, Kadampuliyur Police Station, Kadampuliyur, Cuddalore District - 607 103 N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.

Page 4 / 5

ssd W.P.(Crl.)No.664 of 2025 25.08.2025 Page 5 / 5