M.Sathyaraj v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 11.06.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN and W.M.P(MD)No.2986 of 2026 M.Sathyaraj ... Petitioner vs.
1.The District Collector, The Office of the District Collector, Trichy District.
2.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Door No 11, Uthamar Gandhi Street, Nungambakkam, Chennai -600034
3. The Deputy Commissioner, Arulmigu Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, Trichy - 620006
4. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Navalurkuttapattu, Srirangam, Trichy - 620027 1/7
5. The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Kaadaipillai Aiyanar Temple, Melur, Srirangam, Trichy District ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider the representations dated 15.11.2025 and 05.01.2026 and to take necessary action against the discrimination against our people exclusively residing in Pallar Street and Paraiyar Street of our village Melur in Srirangam, Trichy District and to take necessary action by ensuring the temple chariot belongs to Arulmigu Kaadaipillai Aiyanaar entering into the Pallar Street and Paraiyar street of the village Melur in Srirangam, Trichy District every year for darshan and to directing the 5th Respondent to ensure that the temple chariot of Arulmigu Kaadaipillai Aiyanaar would enter into the Pallar Street and Paraiyar street of the village Melur in Srirangam, Trichy District for this year pending disposal of this present writ petition.
For Petitioner : Mr.K.Sivabalan For R1 to R4 : Mr.S.Venkatesh Counsel for State For R5 : Mr.V.Chandrasekar Standing Counsel 2/7
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The petitioner has filed the present writ petition seeking a direction to the respondents to take appropriate action against the alleged caste-based discrimination faced by the residents of Pallar Street and Paraiyar Street in Melur Village, Srirangam Taluk, Tiruchirappalli District. The petitioner further seeks a direction to ensure that the temple chariot of Arulmigu Kaadaipillai Aiyanaar Temple enters Pallar Street and Paraiyar Street every year during the temple procession, thereby enabling the residents of those streets to have darshan. The petitioner also seeks a direction to the fifth respondent to ensure that the temple chariot is taken through Pallar Street and Paraiyar Street during the annual festival procession.
2.The grievance of the petitioner is that the temple chariot procession has been deliberately prevented from entering the petitioner's streets on account of caste discrimination. In this regard, the petitioner had submitted representations dated 15.11.2025 and 05.01.2026 to the authorities. Since no action has been taken on the said representations, the present writ petition has been filed. 3/7
3. The learned counsel appearing for the fifth respondent submitted that, since the petitioner has raised an allegation of discrimination, the Revenue Divisional Officer is the appropriate authority to consider the petitioner's representations by convening a Peace Committee Meeting involving all stakeholders and villagers concerned. It was further submitted that the temple administration would abide by any decision taken by the Revenue Divisional Officer.
4. In view of the above submission, the fourth respondent is directed to consider the petitioner's representations by convening a Peace Committee Meeting and by affording an opportunity of hearing to all concerned villagers. Thereafter, the fourth respondent shall take an appropriate decision on the issue in accordance with law. The temple administration shall abide by the decision taken by the Revenue Divisional Officer. The entire exercise shall be completed, and appropriate orders shall be passed within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
4/7
5. Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 11.06.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes am 5/7
To 1.The District Collector, The Office of the District Collector, Trichy District.
2.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Door No 11, Uthamar Gandhi Street, Nungambakkam, Chennai -600034
3. The Deputy Commissioner, Arulmigu Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, Trichy - 620006
4. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Navalurkuttapattu, Srirangam, Trichy - 620027
5. The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Kaadaipillai Aiyanar Temple, Melur, Srirangam, Trichy District 6/7
N.SATHISH KUMAR , J.
and M.JOTHIRAMAN , J.
am ORDER MADE IN DATED : 11.06.2026 7/7