Kumar v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 13.02.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.DHANABAL and W.M.P(MD)No.2852 of 2025 Kumar ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Pollice, Sivagangai District.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.

4.The Tahsildar, Tiruppathur Taluk, Sivagangai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Keelasevalpatti Police Station, Sivagangai District.

1/6

6.Radha Krishnan 7.Perumal 8.Kittu 9.Revanth ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 5 to take necessary action to permit the petitioner and 60 families to celebrate the Masi Manthaiamman Temple festival in the Village, namely, Kalapettai Village, Keelasevalpatti Post, Thiruppathur Taluk, Sivagangai District along with other villagers by considering the petitioner's representations, dated 03.01.2025 and 07.02.2025 within a time limit that may be fixed by this Court and pass such further or other orders as this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Vanchinathan For R-1, R-3 & R-4 : Mr.M.Senthil Ayyanar Government Advocate For R-2 & R-5 : Mr.R.M.Anbunithi Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

The present petition has been filed for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 5 to take necessary action to permit the petitioner 2/6

and 60 families to celebrate the Masi Manthaiamman Temple festival in the Village, namely, Kalapettai Village, Keelasevalpatti Post, Thiruppathur Taluk, Sivagangai District along with other villagers by considering the petitioner's representations, dated 03.01.2025 and 07.02.2025.

2. According to the petitioner, there are more than 100 families are residing in the village and Manthaiamman Temple is also situated in the village and the villagers conducted poojas for more than 200 years. They also used to collect money (i.e.,) [Gs;sp tup] to celebrate the Temple festival. Last year, after completion of the festival, there was a misunderstanding between the parties in respect of the accounts of the Temple. The private respondents 6 to 9 have not rendered the Temple accounts, thereby, misunderstanding arose between them. Since the petitioner sought for accounts for the Temple, the private respondents attempted to excommunicate the petitioner from the Temple. Therefore, the petitioner sent a representation, dated 03.01.2025 to the fourth respondent to convene a peace meeting between two groups but there was no response from the respondents. Again on 07.02.2025, another representation was sent by the petitioner to the respondents 1 to 5 and the same has also not been considered. Hence, the present petition. 3/6

3. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 1, 3 and 4 would submit that there are two rival groups claiming right over the property and there may be chances for law and order problem. Therefore, they will conduct peace meeting by issuing notice to all the rival parties within two days.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents 2 and 5 would submit that as far as the law and order problem is concerned, if any complaint received from any party, they will take appropriate steps in accordance with law.

5. Considering the limited scope of prayer in this writ petition, this Court without issuing notice to the private respondents inclined to pass orders by directing the respondents 1, 3 and 4 to conduct peace meeting after issuing notice to all the interested parties within two (2) days and the second and fifth respondents are directed to take appropriate action, if any complaint received from either parties. Both the parties are directed to cooperate to maintain law and order.

4/6

6. With the above said observations and directions, this writ petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition stands closed. 13.02.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes BTR Note: Issue order copy on 14.02.2025.

To 1.The District Collector, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Pollice, Sivagangai District.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.

4.The Tahsildar, Tiruppathur Taluk, Sivagangai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Keelasevalpatti Police Station, Sivagangai District.

5/6

P.DHANABAL, J.

BTR 13.02.2025 6/6