Arulmigu Arumuga Perumal, Sri Sappani Muthaiah Kovil, v. The Superintendent Of Police,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 18.02.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.DHANABAL W.P(MD)No.1045 of 2025 Arulmigu Arumuga Perumal, Sri Sappani Muthaiah Kovil, Represented by its President, Registration No.277/2010, Mr.S.M.Bose Pillai.
... Petitioner Vs.
1. The Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar.
2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar District.
3. The Inspector of Police Watrap, Virudhunagar District.
4. The Sub Inspector of Police, Koomapatti Police Station, Watrap Taluk, Virudhunagar District.
5. Periya Muthiah
6. M.Kannan
7. Muthaiah ... Respondents Page No. 1 of 5
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents no.1 to 4 to provide adequate Police Protection to conduct Maha Sivarathri festival for two days i.e. 25.02.2025 and 26.02.2025 to the temple namely Arulmigu Arumuga Perumal, Sri Sappani Muthaiah Kovil to the petitioner by considering the petitioner's representation dated 02.12.2024. For Petitioner : Mr.A.Balaji For Respondents For R1 to R4 : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar Government Advocate (Crl.) For R5 to R7 : Ms.Lakshmi Gopinath for M/s Polax Legal Solutions
O R D E R
This writ petition is filed by the petitioner to direct the respondents no.1 to 4 to provide adequate Police Protection to conduct Maha Sivarathri festival for two days i.e. 25.02.2025 and 26.02.2025 to the temple namely Arulmigu Arumuga Perumal, Sri Sappani Muthaiah Kovil to the petitioner by considering the petitioner's representation dated 02.12.2024.
2. M.Sakthi Kumar, learned Government Advocate (Crl.), takes Page No. 2 of 5
notice for the respondents no. 1 to 4 and Ms. Lakshmi Gopinath, learned counsel takes notice for the respondents no.5 to 7.
3. After an elaborate arguments, both side counsels represented that already this Court last year passed an order in respect of conduct of Maha Sivarathri festival in W.P.(MD).No.5391 of 2024 dated 07.03.2024. Therefore, the same order can be passed by this Court in this year also. In view of the same, this Court without going into the merits of the petition as requested by the both side counsels inclined to pass the following order:
a) The temple shall be kept open for Maha Shivaratri and on other days also.
b) It shall not be closed for any reason.
c) Thiru.Ranganathan, S/o.Arumugam Pillai will officiate as Poojari.
d) It is open to every one to take part in the festival and offer their worship.
4. There shall not be discrimination in the performance of Annadhanam or offering of Prasadam / Viboodhi. The 4th respondent will Page No. 3 of 5
ensure that this order is scrupulously complied with. The festival celebrations shall not be interfered with by any person. The 3rd respondent is directed to take steps to videograph the entire festival and the petitioner has to bear the cost of the videograph.
5. With the above said observations and directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs.
18.02.2025 Internet :Yes Index :Yes/No NCC :Yes/No mac Page No. 4 of 5
P.DHANABAL , J.
mac To The Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar District, Virudhunagar.
2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar District.
3. The Inspector of Police Watrap, Virudhunagar District.
4. The Sub Inspector of Police, Koomapatti Police Station, Watrap Taluk, Virudhunagar District.
5.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
W.P(MD)No.1045 of 2025 18.02.2025 Page No. 5 of 5