Vellan Chettiyar Mahajana Sangam v. The District Collector,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 28.01.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY WP Crl.(MD) NO. 389 of 2026 Vellan Chettiyar Mahajana Sangam, Rep. by its President, T.Ramanathan, Having office at No.7, Sannathi Street, Veerapandi, Theni District.
...Petitioner
Vs 1.The District Collector, Theni District, Theni.
2.The Superintendent of Police, Theni District, Theni.
3.The Executive Magistrate/Sub-Collector, Periyakulam Revenue Sub-Division, Periyakulam, Theni District.
4.The Tahsildar, Andipatti Taluk Office, Theni District.
5.The Inspector of Police, Rajadhani Police Station, Andipatti Taluk, Theni District.
6.Ponnambalam
...Respondents
For Petitioner : Mr.B.Ravindran For Respondent(s): Mr.M.Muthu Manikkam, Government Advocate for R1, R3 and R4 Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate (Crl.side) for R2 & R5
Mr.R.Maheswaran, For Mr.M.Mohamed Ibram Saibu for R6 Prayer:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 5 to grant permission to the petitioner to conduct and celebrate the "Palalayam" ceremony scheduled to be held on the 28.01.2026, from 3.00 PM to 5.00 PM and to perform "Kumbabhishekam" ceremony on 25.03.2026 from 9.30 AM to 10.30 AM, at the Shri Parvathy Pathrakaliamman Temple, Mottanuthu Village, Andipatti Talk, Theni District and consequently, to direct the 5th respondent to provide adequate police protection.
ORDER
The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 5 to grant permission to the petitioner to conduct and celebrate the "Palalayam" ceremony scheduled to be held on the 28.01.2026, from 3.00 PM to 5.00 PM and to perform "Kumbabhishekam" ceremony on 25.03.2026 from 9.30 AM to 10.30 AM, at the Shri Parvathy Pathrakaliamman Temple, Mottanuthu Village, Andipatti Talk, Theni District and consequently, to direct the 5th respondent to provide adequate police protection. 2.This Court has already granted an interim order directing the petitioner to do Palalayam and Kumbabhishekam. This Court recorded that the Sangam is having
documents.
3.The learned Counsel appearing for the 6th respondent vehemently objected for the same stating that a remark was stated in the order passed by the Sub Collector, dated 28.06.2026 for which the learned Counsel relied on the subsequent sentence stated in the order wherein it is stated that the parties are directed to approach the competent Civil Court to establish their rights. Therefore, considering the same, it is seen that the earlier order is incorrect. 4.The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has conducted Kumbabhishekam and all functions from 1974 onwards. But the same also has to be independently scrutinised by evidence. 5.Therefore, in order to resolve the rights of the petitioner Sangam as well as the 6th respondent, this Court is allowing the Kumbabhishekam to go.
Further, it is reported that the Palalayam is over. Therefore, Kumbabhishekam may be conducted by the petitioner as well as the 6th respondent inclusively and there cannot be any discrimination. The conducting of Kumbabhishekam will not accrue right over the temple to anybody.
obtaining the consensus of the parties.
6.With the above observations, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
28.01.2026 Tmg To 1.The District Collector, Theni District, Theni.
2.The Superintendent of Police, Theni District, Theni.
3.The Executive Magistrate/Sub-Collector, Periyakulam Revenue Sub-Division, Periyakulam, Theni District.
4.The Tahsildar, Andipatti Taluk Office, Theni District.
5.The Inspector of Police, Rajadhani Police Station, Andipatti Taluk, Theni District.