J.Sudalakani v. The Director
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
Reserved on: 27.02.2026
Pronounced on: 30.04.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY J.Sudalakani ... Petitioner Vs
1. The District Collector, Office of the District Collector,
2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kovilpatty, Thoothukudi District..
3. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kovilpatty,
4. The Tahsildar, Office of the Tahsildar, Kovilpatty,
5. Inspector of Police, Koppampatti Police Station, Thoothukudi District..
6. S.Thirupathy
7. Sella Mariyappan ... Respondents 1/7
PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 4th and 5th respondents to guide the temple festival in Semapudur Arulmighu Sri Periandavar Madasamy Thirukovil, Ettayapuram Taluk, Thoothukudi District with 5th respondent Police protection for three days festival held from 24.02.2026 to 26.02.2026 on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 03.01.2026. For Petitioner : Mr. K.Karansingh For Respondents : Mr.A.S. Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for R3 and R5 Mr.P.Thambidurai Government Advocate for R1, R2 and R4 Mr.Ramesh Mahadev for R6 Mr.S.Balamurugan for R7 WP Crl.(MD).No.585 of 2026:
Chella Mariappan ... Petitioner Vs
1. The District Collector, Office of the District Collector,
2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kovilpatty, Thoothukudi District..
3. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kovilpatty, 2/7
4. The Tahsildar, Office of the Tahsildar, Kovilpatty,
5. Inspector of Police, Koppampatti Police Station, Thoothukudi District..
6. S.Thirupathy ... Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1,3 and 4 to permit and facilitate the petitioner's group headed by petitioner to conduct the "Masi Kodai Vizha" at Semapudur Arulmighu Sri Periandavar Madasamy Thirukovil, Ettayapuram Taluk, Thoothukudi District from 13.03.2026 to 15.03.2026 and for consequential 8th day pongal on 20.03.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Balamurugan For Respondents : Mr.A.S. Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate (Crl.Side) for R3 and R5 Mr.P.Thambidurai Government Advocate for R1, R2 and R4 Mr.Ramesh Mahadev for R6 COMMON ORDER Since both the petitions in WP Crl.(MD).No.152 of 2026 and WP Crl. (MD).No.585 of 2026 are raising same and similar issues, both we taken together and common order is passed.
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2.(i) WP Crl.(MD).No.152 of 2026 Petition has been filed for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 4th and 5th respondents to guide the temple festival in Semapudur Arulmighu Sri Periandavar Madasamy Thirukovil, Ettayapuram Taluk, Thoothukudi District, with 5th respondent Police protection for three days festival held from 24.02.2026 to 26.02.2026 on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 03.01.2026. 2.(ii) WP Crl.(MD).No.585 of 2026 has been filed for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1, 3 and 4 to permit and facilitate the petitioner's group headed by petitioner to conduct the "Masi Kodai Vizha" at Semapudur Arulmighu Sri Periandavar Madasamy Thirukovil, Ettayapuram Taluk, Thoothukudi District from 13.03.2026 to 15.03.2026 and for consequential 8th day pongal on 20.03.2026.
3. This Court has considered the issue and passed an interim order, dated 13.02.2026 and the same is extracted hereunder: "2. Originally, there were two groups, namely Sella Mariappan and Thirupathi, and each group was having two keys of the temple. Subsequently, Sudalaikani and Madasamy split from the Sella Mariappan group, and now there are three groups. All the three groups claim the right to celebrate the temple festival. The contention of Sella Mariappan is that they were deprived of celebrating the festival in the 4/7
previous year by Thirupathi cannot be accepted. The alleged deprivation in the previous year cannot be a ground to deprive any group from celebrating the festival this year. All the groups are equally entitled to celebrate.
3. Therefore, this Court directs that all the three groups shall be permitted to celebrate the festival. The Tahsildar concerned is directed to purchase a fresh lock, and the cost shall be paid by Sudalaikani. The lock shall contain three keys, and one key shall be handed over to each of the three groups. The celebration shall be conducted by the parties on the following dates:
1. Sudalaikani group shall celebrate the festival from 17.02.2026 to 03.03.2026.
2. Sella Mariappan group shall celebrate the festival from 04.03.2026 to 09.03.2026.
3. Thirupathi group shall celebrate the festival from 10.03.2026 to 15.03.2026."
4. It is reported that the above said interim order was complied with. The festival was conducted in peaceful manner.
5. Therefore, this Court is of the considered opinion that the parties shall celebrate the festival every year as per the above said order until a proper scheme is formulated in the pending suit. The suit shall be decided independently based on the documents and evidence and uninfluenced by the 5/7
present order of this Court.
6. With the above said observations, the writ petitions are disposed of. No costs.
30.04.2026 TMG Index : yes / no Internet : yes / no TO
1. The District Collector, Office of the District Collector,
2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Kovilpatty, Thoothukudi District.
3. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kovilpatty, Thoothukudi District.
4. The Tahsildar, Office of the Tahsildar, Kovilpatty, Thoothukudi District.
5. Inspector of Police, Koppampatti Police Station, 6/7
S.SRIMATHY,J TMG
ORDER
IN Date: 30.04.2026 7/7