N.D.Ranganathan v. The Commissioner

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 15.10.2025

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI N.D. Ranganathan ... Petitioner vs.

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

2. The District Collector, Ranipet District, Ranipet.

3. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Vellore.

4. The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple, Melapulam Pudur, Nemili Taluk, Ranipet District - 631 052.

....

Respondents 1/6

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue Writ of Mandamus, directing the 3rd & 4th respondents to grant permission to conduct Maha Kandha Sashti Festival from 22.10.2025 to 28.10.2025 to the Arulmigu Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple, Melapulam Pudur, Ranipet District as per the orders of the first respondent in A.P. No.12/2008 & 13/2008 dated 05.02.2010.

For petitioner : Mr.P. Kannan Kumar For Respondents : Mr.K. Karthikeyan Govt. Advocate for RR1, 3 & 4 Mrs. P. Aishwarya Govt. Advocate for R2 - - - - - -

ORDER

By consent of both the parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself. Mr. K. Karthikeyan, learned Government Advocate takes notice for the respondents 1, 3 and 4 and Mrs.P.Aishwarya, learned Government Advocate takes notice for the 2nd respondent.

2. The relief sought for in this writ petition is a direction to the 3rd & 4th respondents to grant permission to conduct Maha Kandha Sashti Festival from 2/6

22.10.2025 to 28.10.2025 at Arulmigu Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple, Melapulam Pudur, Ranipet District as per the orders of the first respondent in A.P. No.12/2008 & 13/2008 dated 05.02.2010.

3. It is stated that the petitioner is a devotee of M/s.Arulmigu Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple, Melapulam Pudur, Ranipet District. It is the customary practice to conduct Kandha Sashti Soorasamharam Festival in the said temple and for this year, it is proposed to conduct the said Festival between 22.10.2025 to 28.10.2025. It is stated that based on the findings given by the 1st respondent, vide order dated 05.02.2010, a route map was formed earlier and the same was implemented for about fifteen years. Therefore, on 15.09.2025, the petitioner along with other devotees submitted a representation to the respondents to accord necessary permission to conduct the said festival for the year 2025. But the said representation has not considered, till date. Hence, this writ petition.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that it would suffice, if a direction is issued to the 3rd and 4th respondents to consider the petitioner's 3/6

representation dated 15.09.2025 permitting the petitioner to conduct Kandha Sashti Soorasamharam festival in a smooth manner. Therefore, this Court may suitable permission accordingly.

5. Mr.K. Karthikeyan, learned Government Advocate would submit that a peace committee meeting is scheduled to be held on 17.10.2025 and based on the final orders, the petitioner's representation dated 15.09.2025 will be considered. Hence, this Court may issue appropriate directions in the above regard.

6. Though the limited prayer is sought to consider the representation, however, this Court is of the view that it is only for conducting the Soorasamharam festival and further it is not between two different religious groups and majority of the people in the locality are in favour of the festival and therefore, this Court, disposes of this writ petition, directing the 3 and 4th respondents to grant permission to conduct Kandha Sashti Soorasamharam Festival at Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple, Melapulam Pudur, Ranipet District, which is scheduled to be held between 22.10.2025 and 28.10.2025. 4/6

Further, the respondents 3 and 4 shall approach the law enforcing agency for providing adequate police protection to conduct the said festival smoothly, if so required.

7. With the aforesaid directions, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.

15.10.2025 Note : Issue order copy on or before 17.10.2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order vsi2 To

1. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

2. The District Collector, Ranipet District, Ranipet.

3. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Vellore.

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M.DHANDAPANI, J.

vsi2

4. The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple, Melapulam Pudur, Nemili Taluk, Ranipet District - 631 052.

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