Madras High CourtWP(MD)/4597/2021disposed of

Chokkalingam v. The District Collector

2021-03-05Honourable Mrs Justice R. Hemalatha2 pages

W.P.(MD)No.4597 of 2021 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 05.03.2021 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE Mrs.JUSTICE R.HEMALATHA W.P.(MD)No.4597 of 2021 Chokkalingam

...Petitioner

/Vs./ 1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

2.The Inspector of Police, Keeramangalam Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

...Respondents

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to grant permission and police protection to conduct the cultural events scheduled to be held on 09.03.2021 in connection with Arulmigu Sri Pattayyanar Thirukovil festival at Merpanaikadu West Village, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

For Petitioner :Mr.E.Balasubramanian For Respondents :Mr.S.Chandrasekar Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

By consent, this Writ Petition is taken up for final hearing at the admission stage itself.

2. Mr.S.Chandrasekar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor accepts notice for the respondents.

3. Mr.E.Balasubramanian, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is one of the members of the festival committee of Arulmigu Sri Pattayyanar Thirukovil at Merpanaikadu West Village, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukkottai District and that a cultural event is scheduled to be held on 09.03.2021. His further contention is that he submitted a representation dated 20.02.2021 to the second respondent seeking permission to conduct the said programme and till date, no action has been taken by the second respondent.

4.The contention of Mr.S.Chandrasekar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor is that as per G.O.(Ms)No.654 (Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV) Department) dated 21.11.2020, the District Collector is the competent authority to consider the request of the petitioner.

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W.P.(MD)No.4597 of 2021 5.Considering the said submissions made by the learned Additional Public Prosecutor, the petitioner, if so advised, can file a fresh petition before the District Collector, Pudukkottai District and on receipt of the same, the District Collector is at liberty to pass appropriate orders, based on merits and on findings and in accordance with law, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of the representation of the petitioner. 6.With the above observation, this petition is disposed of. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar (Cs-I) // True Copy // / /2021 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) Note In view of the present lock down owing to COVID-19 pandemic, a web copy of the order may be utilized for official purposes, but, ensuring that the copy of the order that is presented is the correct copy, shall be the responsibility of the advocate/litigant concerned.

To 1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

2.The Inspector of Police, Keeramangalam Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

+1 CC to M/s.E.BALASUBRAMANIAN, Advocate ( SR-9297[F] dated 05/03/2021 ) W.P.(MD)No.4597 of 2021 05.03.2021 SSS(CO) KB(29.03.2021) 2P 4C https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 2/2