Sevugaperumal v. The Superintendent Of Police
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 15.03.2022
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN Sevugaperumal .. Petitioner Vs.
1.The Superintendent of Police, Madurai District, Madurai.
2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police Melur, Madurai District.
3.The Inspector of Police, Kottampatti Police Station, Melur Taluk, Madurai District.
... Respondents Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission and police protection to conduct the ''Panguni Festival'' with religious ceremonies like ''Kuthirai Eduppu Vizha'', ''Kappu Aruthal'' and ''Kovil Maadu Mariyathai'' etc., along with Vallithirumanam Drama, Harichandra Drama and Mahamaye Drama in connection with the festival of Adaikalam Kaattha Ayyanar Swamy Kovil, Chellandi Amman Kovil, Pattatharasi Amman Kovil at Pallapatti Village, Melur Taluk, Madurai District to be held on 03.04.2022, 04.04.2022 and 05.04.2022 (20, 21 and 22 of Tamil Month of Panguni) by considering the petitioner's representation dated 03.03.2022. For Petitioner : Mr.S.R.Anbarasu For Respondents : Mr.R.M.Anbunithi Additional Public Prosecutor
O R D E R
The prayer in this writ petition is to direct the respondents to grant permission and police protection to conduct the ''Panguni Festival'' with religious ceremonies like ''Kuthirai Eduppu Vizha'', ''Kappu Aruthal'' and ''Kovil Maadu Mariyathai'' etc., along with Vallithirumanam Drama, Harichandra Drama and Mahamaye Drama in connection with the festival of Adaikalam Kaattha Ayyanar Swamy Kovil, Chellandi Amman Kovil, Pattatharasi Amman Kovil at Pallapatti 1/3
Village, Melur Taluk, Madurai District to be held on 03.04.2022, 04.04.2022 and 05.04.2022 (20, 21 and 22 of Tamil Month of Panguni) by considering the petitioner's representation dated 03.03.2022. 2.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondents.
3.In an identical matter, a Division Bench of this Court in an order passed in W.P.(MD) No.8975 of 2017 dated 10.05.2017 [M.Sakthi Vs. State rep. by the Inspector of Police, Odapatti Police Station, Odapatti, Theni District], had granted permission to the petitioner to conduct cultural programme on certain conditions. The said conditions read as follows:
'a)The event shall be conducted in an organised and peaceful manner without causing law and order problem. b)There shall not be any obscene or vulgar scenes during the dance performance by any one of the participants or others.
c)The cultural program shall be restricted between 06.00 p.m. and 11.00 p.m.
d)If there is any violation of the above said conditions, the respondent or the duly authorised officer is entitled to take necessary action as per law and stop such performance.
e)In case if there is any discrepancy with regard to the date on which the program is to be conducted, it would be open to the respondent police to extend protection on some other day after giving due notice to the petitioner. f)The restrictions have now been lifted and permitted to gather not more than 50 persons for the festival function.'
4.This Court is of the view that similar conditions may also be imposed in the present writ petition. Consequently, the Writ Petition Stands disposed of. The third respondent is directed to strictly adhere to the Standard Operating Procedure adopted by the Government of Tamil Nadu and grant permission to the writ petitioner to conduct ''Kuthirai Eduppu Vizha'', ''Kappu Aruthal'' and ''Kovil Maadu Mariyathai'' etc., along with Vallithirumanam Drama, Harichandra Drama and Mahamaye Drama on 03.04.2022, 04.04.2022 and 05.04.2022 between 06.00 pm., to 11.00 p.m., in connection with ''Panguni Festival'' of Adaikalam Kaattha Ayyanar Swamy Kovil, Chellandi Amman Kovil, Pattatharasi Amman Kovil at Pallapatti 2/3
Village, Melur Taluk, Madurai District, subject to the aforesaid conditions.
Sd/- Assistant Registrar (Crl.Side) // True Copy // / /2022 Sub Assistant Registrar To:
1.The Superintendent of Police, Madurai District, Madurai.
2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police Melur, Madurai District.
3.The Inspector of Police, Kottampatti Police Station, Melur Taluk, Madurai District.
4.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
+1 CC to M/s.S.R.ANBARASU, Advocate ( SR-12694[F] dated 17/03/2022 ) W.P (MD).No.4404 of 2022 15.03.2022 ias MS/18.03.2022/3P.6C 3/3