C. Muthukrishnan v. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Ambasamudram,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 23/01/2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY WP CRL.(MD). No.309 of 2026 C. Muthukrishnan ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Ambasamudram Police Station, Ambasamudram, Tirunelvelii District.

3. Sundar ... Respondents PRAYER :- Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records of the 2nd respondent by his impugned proceedings dated 18.01.2026 and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents 1 and 2 to grant police protection to conduct Kodai festival on 26.01.2026 to 28.01.2026 in Arulmigu Sri Muppidathi Amman Thirukovil, Aathiyadi Valaivu Street, Brahmadesam Village, Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

For Petitioner : Mr.P.P.Alwin Balan For R1 and R2 : Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad Government Advocate (Crl.Side) For R3 : Mr.T.A.Ebenezar 1/4

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to quash the impugned proceedings dated 18.01.2026 and consequently direct the respondents 1 and 2 to grant police protection to conduct Kodai festival on 26.01.2026 to 28.01.2026 in Arulmigu Sri Muppidathi Amman Thirukovil, Aathiyadi Valaivu Street, Brahmadesam Village, Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

2. There are two rival groups. According to the respondent police, several First Information Reports have been registered in connection with the temple festival. Therefore, the respondents have denied police protection through the impugned order dated 18.01.2026.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the third respondent, along with ten other families, was responsible for a murder that occurred in the petitioner's family. Therefore, the third respondent along his family was not allowed to participate along with the petitioner and other families.

4. However, the learned counsel appearing for the third respondent submitted that he does not belong to the said 10 families. He, along with three members of his 2/4

family (totalling four persons), may be permitted to participate in the said festival, and he is not insisting on participation by the other ten families.

5. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that permitting the third respondent would amount to approving the murder committed by the other group.

6. Considering the facts of the case, this Court is of the considered opinion that since the murder occurred in the year 2013, the relationship between the parties cannot be kept in jeopardy endlessly. Therefore, there should be an amicable solution to the issue.

7. Accordingly, the impugned order passed by the 2nd respondent dated 18.01.2026 is hereby quashed. The respondents 1 and 2 are directed to provide police protection to conduct Kodai festival on 26.01.2026 to 28.01.2026 in Arulmigu Sri Muppidathi Amman Thirukovil, Aathiyadi Valaivu Street, Brahmadesam Village, Ambasamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli District. The petitioner shall permit the third respondent to offer milk for the Palkudam festival. The third respondent is permitted to keep the milk in the temple, which the petitioner shall take during the Palkudam festival.

3/4

8. With these directions, this writ petition is disposed of. 23.01.2026 KSA Note : Issue a copy of order on 23.01.2026 4/4

TO

1. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Ambasamudram,, Tirunelveli District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Ambasamudram Police Station, Ambasamudram, Tirunelvelii District.

3. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

5/4

S.SRIMATHY,J KSA

ORDER

IN WP CRL.(MD) No.309 of 2026 Date : 23/01/2026 6/4