P.Ponnusamy, v. The Superintendent Of Police,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 23.09.2025
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE N. SATHISH KUMAR W.P.Crl.No.837 of 2025 P.Ponnusamy ... Petitioner Vs.
1.
The Superintendent of Police, Sangakiri Main Road, Nethimedu, Salem - 636 002.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mettur Dam, Mettur Taluk, Salem District - 636 401. The Inspector of Police, Kolathur Police Station, Kolathur Post, Mettur Taluk, Salem District - 636 303.
S.Rajagopal Sivanandham 6.
Chinnasamy 7.
The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nethimedu, Salem - 636 002.
(R7 impleaded vide order dated 23.09.2025 in W.P.M.P.Crl.No.417 of 2025) ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition (Criminal) is filed under Article 226 of the 1/5
Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Madamus or any other appropriate writ or direction, directing respondents 1 to 3 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 06.06.2025 to provide necessary police protection for the peaceful conduct of the religious festivals in Arulmuigu Sri Chitteshwarar Temple, scheduled on 20.09.2025, 27.09.2025, 04.10.2025 and 11.10.2025 on every Friday and Saturday during the month of Chithirai also in Masi month during Mahasivarathri festival for two days. For Petitioner : Mr.V.Subramanian for Mr.S.P.Yuvaraj For R1 to R3 : Mr.K.M.D.Muhilan Additional Public Prosecutor For R7 : Mr.S.Ravichandran AGP (HR&CE)
O R D E R
The Writ Petition (Criminal) has been filed seeking a direction to respondents 1 to 3 to provide police protection for conducting festival at Arulmuigu Sri Chitteshwarar Temple, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 06.06.2025.
The contention of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner is that petitioners 4 to 6 are attempting to disturb the religious celebrations and prevent the peaceful conduct of the temple festival. Hence, in order to maintain peace and communal harmony, the petitioner sent a 2/5
representation to the respondent Police seeking police protection. Since no action has been taken on the said representation, the present petition has been filed.
Mr.S.Ravichandran, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the seventh respondent submitted that the rights of the parties have already been settled in O.A.No.9 of 1951 - 21.03.1952 and subsequently, by the proceedings of the Joint Commissioner in Na.Ka.No.11964/2007/A2 dated 04.10.2007, it was clearly held that both the groups are entitled to conduct the temple festival in rotation. Accordingly, the petitioner and his group had conducted the festival from 01.07.2024 to 30.06.2025 and now it is the turn of theother group namely S.Rajagopal and others, to conduct the festival for the current year. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record. Since the proceedings referred to above have already been passed in this regard and the petitioner has availed the benefit thereof by conducting the festival for the previous year, now he cannot once again seek police protection to conduct the same festival of the present year. 3/5
6.
In view of the above, the Writ Petition (Criminal) stands dismissed. No costs.
23.09.2025 ham To 1.
The Superintendent of Police, Sangakiri Main Road, Nethimedu, Salem - 636 002.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mettur Dam, Mettur Taluk, Salem District - 636 401. The Inspector of Police, Kolathur Police Station, Kolathur Post, Mettur Taluk, Salem District - 636 303.
The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nethimedu, Salem - 636 002.5.
The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.
4/5
N. SATHISH KUMAR , J.
ham W.P.Crl.No.837 of 2025 23.09.2025 2/2 5/5