A.P.Gowdhamasidharthan v. The State Of Tamil Nadu Rep. By
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 23.10.2025
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA A.P.Gowdhamasidharthan ... Petitioner Vs.
1.
The State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Secretary to Government, Department of Home, Prohibition and Excise, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.
The District Collector, Kallakurichi, Kallakurichi District.
3.
The Superintendent of Police, Kallakurichi, Kallakurichi District.
4.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kallakurichi, Kallakurichi District.
5.
The Inspector of Police, Kallakurichi, Kallakurichi District.
6.
The Tahsildar, Sankarapuram - 606 401, Kallakurichi District.
7.
Rajaram (R7 impleaded vide order dated 23.10.2025 in W.P.M.P.Crl.No.550 of 2025) ... Respondents 1/9
PRAYER : Writ Petition (Criminal) is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of Mandamus or direction in the nature of writ, to direct the fifth respondent Police to provide adequate police protection, under the supervision of the third respondent, to the temple entry and worship by the members of scheduled castes into the 'Arulmigu Ayyanar Thirukkovil Temple', Anaikaraikottalam Village, Sankarapuram Taluk, Kallakurichi District, on 08.09.2025 from 6.00a.m., to 10.00 p.m., as per the petitioner's representation dated 18.08.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.A.P.Gowdhamasidharthan (Party-in-Person) For R1 to R6 : Mr.K.M.D.Muhilan Additional Public Prosecutor For R7 : Mr.K.Balu
O R D E R
The present Writ Petition (Criminal) has been filed seeking a direction to the fifth respondent Police to provide adequate police protection, under the supervision of the third respondent, to enable the members of the Scheduled Caste community to enter and worship in the 'Arulmigu Ayyanar Thirukkovil Temple', Anaikaraikottalam Village, Sankarapuram Taluk, Kallakurichi District.
2.
The case of the petitioner is that he is a native of Anaikaraikottalam Village, Sankarapuram Taluk, Kallakurichi District and 2/9
the Managing Director of Dr.Ambedkar Educational Foundation. He contends that he and the members of his community have been prevented from entering the temple, thereby, violating their constitutional and fundamental rights. Hence, the petitioner has approached this Court seeking a direction to the authorities concerned to give necessary protection for temple entry and worship.
3.
Learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for respondents 1 to 6 submitted that during the pendency of the present writ petition, a Peace Committee Meeting was convened, wherein members belonging to both communities participated. In the said meeting, an understanding was reached between the parties and a resolution was duly passed to that effect. As of now, the persons managing the temple are not preventing the petitioner or the members of his community from entering or worshiping in the temple.
4.
Learned counsel appearing for the seventh respondent submitted that the persons managing the temple have not prevented the petitioner or the villagers from entering the temple. He further submitted that pursuant to the Peace Committee Meeting conducted by the Revenue 3/9
Divisional Officer, Kallakurichi, a consent resolution has been arrived at and duly signed before the Gsovernment officials. 5.
Mr.C.Samivel, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the President of the Anaikaraikottalam Village submitted that though the members belonging to the Scheduled Caste community from other villages were permitted to enter and worship in the temple, the persons belonging to the Scheduled Caste community of the same village were being restricted from entering the temple.
6.
In reply, the learned counsel appearing for the seventh respondent reiterated that the persons managing the temple are not preventing the persons belonging to the Scheduled Caste community either from the same village or from elsewhere, from entering and worshiping in the temple. He further submitted that the temple management is allowing everybody without discrimination.
7.
Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.
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8.
During the pendency of the writ petition, the parties appeared before the Peace Committee Meeting and a resolution was passed with the consent of both parties. The scanned copy of the Resolution dated 07.09.2025, passed in the Peace committee Meeting conducted under the chairmanship of the Revenue Divisional Officer is reproduced below :- 5/9
6/9
9.
Taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case and the submission made by the learned counsels on either sides that the petitioner and the members of his community have been permitted to enter and worship in the temple, this Court is of the view that no further orders are required in this matter. The parties are directed to abide by the Resolution passed in the Peace Committee Meeting. 7/9
10.
Accordingly, this Writ Petition (Criminal) stands closed. No costs.
23.10.2025 ham To 1.
The Secretary to Government, Department of Home, Prohibition and Excise, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600 009.
2.
The District Collector, Kallakurichi, Kallakurichi District.
3.
The Superintendent of Police, Kallakurichi, Kallakurichi District.
4.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kallakurichi, Kallakurichi District.
5.
The Inspector of Police, Kallakurichi, Kallakurichi District.
6.
The Tahsildar, Sankarapuram - 606 401, Kallakurichi District.
7.
The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.
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A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA , J.
ham 23.10.2025 2/2 9/9