Rathinam S v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated: 02.03.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and WMP(MD) No.4751 of 2026 1.S.Rathinam 2.Periyaguruvu ... Petitioners Vs.
1.The District Collector 2.The Tahsildhar Srivilliputhur Taluk Virudhunagar District 3.The Joint Commissioner 4.The Superintendent of Police 5.The Inspector of Police Krishnan Kovil Police Station 6.Muniswaran 7.Maheshwaran 8.Vairamuthu 1/7
9.Pichaimurugan
...Respondent
Writ Petition is filed under article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing Respondents 1, 2 and 3 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 19.02.2026 and to take appropriate action in accordance with law against Respondents 5 to 8 for their unlawful interference in the customary religious practice and administration of the temple and their attempted unauthorized conduct of the Oyya Pongal festival in Arulmigu Amaichiyar and Vinayagar Temple, Achangulam Village, For Petitioner :Mr.V.R.Shanmuganathan For R1 to R3 :Mr.M.Sarangan Additional Government Pleader For R4 & R5 :Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Crl.side) For R6 to R9 :Mr.K.Gokul
ORDER
The prayer in the writ petition is to consider the petitioner's representation dated 19.02.2026 and to take appropriate action in accordance with law against the respondents 5 to 8 for their unlawful interference in the customary religious practice and administration of the temple and their attempted unauthorized conduct of Oyya Pongal festival in Arulmigu Amaichiyar and Vinayagar temple, Achangulam Village, Virudhunagar District.
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2.I heard Mr.V.R.Shanmuganathan, learned counsel for the petitioners, Mr.M.Sarangan, learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents 1 to 3, Mr.K.Gnanasekaran, learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) for the respondents 4 and 5 and Mr.K.Gokul, learned counsel for the respondents 6 to 9.
3.After hearing the learned counsel on either side, the prayer in the writ petition is twofold. With reference to the prohibitory relief that is sought against the private respondents from conducting Oyya Pongal in Arulmigu Amaichiyar and Vinayagar Temple, Achangulam village, Virudhunagar District, is concerned, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the party respondents, by placing on record the public notice/invitation printed in respect of the said festival would submit that the respondents 6 to 9 are conducting the said festival in Arulmigu Sree Aayiram Kannudaiyal Thirukovil and not in the temple that is mentioned by the petitioner. 4.In view of the same, the same is recorded and the petitioner can no more be aggrieved of the same.
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5.With reference to the other limb of the prayer, it is stated that customarily it is the petitioner, who used to do Saamiaattam. In the pooja that was to be conducted this year, when the appropriate date came, there was a bereavement in the family of the petitioner and therefore, he could not do the same.
6.The learned counsel for the respondents 6 to 9 submits that the respondents 6 to 9 will not in any manner interfere in the said ceremony that is to be conducted by the petitioner. Their only grievance is with reference to the administration of the temple, which is not being maintained properly. 7.If the respondents 6 to 9 are aggrieved by non maintenance of accounts or maladministration of the temple, it is open for them to make a written representation to the Assistant Commissioner, Virudhunagar, and the complaint shall be considered in the manner known to law by the said Assistant Commissioner. Since it is now stated by the respondents 6 to 9 that they have no objection for the customary rituals to be conducted, let the Assistant Commissioner, Virudhunagar, visit the village and fix a date after conducting a meeting of the villagers. Accordingly, the petitioner shall exercise their customary rights in the form of Saamiaattam or any other ritual 4/7
whatsoever as per the usual tradition of the village and the festival be celebrated. The Assistant Commissioner, Virudhunagar, shall undertake the exercise of visiting the village and fixing the date for the meeting of the villagers within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a web-copy of this order.
8.The Writ Petition stands disposed of, on the above terms. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 02.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No mm To 1.The District Collector 2.The Tahsildhar Srivilliputhur Taluk Virudhunagar District 3.The Joint Commissioner 4.The Superintendent of Police 5.The Inspector of Police 5/7
Krishnan Kovil Police Station 6/7
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
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