Veerapandiyan v. The Superintendent Of Police

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.03.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.DHANABAL Veerapandiyan ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Karaikudi, Sivagangai District.

3. The Inspector of Police, Karaikudi North Police Station, Sivagangai District.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the impugned order passed by the 3rd respondent vide Ref. Na.Ka.No. 43/SVG/KKDI/NORTH-KIPS/2025 dated 11.03.2025 and quash the same and consequently directing the respondents herein to grant permission and adequate police protection to perform the cultural programme i.e Adal Padal and Grammiya Kalai Nigazhchi Programme on 19.03.2025 at about 7.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m on the eve of "Arulmigu Muthu Mariyamman Temple Masi Panguni Festival" at Karaikudi Town, Sivagangai District.

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For Petitioner : Mr. P.Suresh Kumar For Respondents : Mr.R.M.Anbunithi Additional Public Prosecutor (Crl. Side)

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed by the petitioner to quash the order passed by the 3rd respondent vide Ref. Na.Ka.No.43/SVG/KKDI/NORTHKIPS/2025 dated 11.03.2025 and consequently, to direct the respondents herein to grant permission and adequate police protection to perform the cultural programme i.e. Adal Padal and Grammiya Kalai Nigazhchi Programme on 19.03.2025 at about 7.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m., on the eve of "Arulmigu Muthu Mariyamman Temple Masi Panguni Festival" at Karaikudi Town, Sivagangai District.

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is the residence of Anna Nagar, Sekkalaikottai, Karaikudi Taluk and in the said village, there is an ancient Temple, namely, "Arulmigu Muthu Mariyamman Temple" and every year in the Tamil month of Masi and Panguni, the villages were used to conduct a Festival. Likewise, this year also, they have decided to conduct the Festival and a cultural programme "Adal Padal" on 19.03.2025. To that effect, they have sent a representation to the 3rd respondent for seeking Page No. 2 of 6

permission and police protection and the same was rejected by the 3rd respondent through an order dated 11.03.2025 in Na.Ka.No. 43/SVG/KKDI/NORTH-KIPS/2025. The reasons stated by the 3rd respondent is that, if the cultural programme 'Adal Padal' is conducted, they will cause hindrance to the public and will create law and order issue. The above said reason is not a ground to reject the permission and it is only a cultural programme, and now the petitioner has also undertakes to conduct the 'Adal Padal' programme without causing disturbance to anybody. Therefore, the order passed by the 3rd respondent is liable to be quashed.

3. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondents would submit that the petitioner sent a representation for conducting the "Adal Padal" programme on 19.03.2025 and the same was rejected on 11.03.2025 by citing the reason that they will cause hindrance to the public and by citing the law and order issue.

4. This Court heard both sides and perused the records.

5. The petitioner sought for permission to conduct cultural Page No. 3 of 6

programme 'Adal Padal' and the same was rejected by the 3rd respondent on the ground of law and order issue. Only on the sole ground of law and order issue, the permission for cultural programme 'Adal Padal' cannot be rejected and now the petitioner has also gave an undertaking before this Court that they will conduct the 'Adal Padal' programme without any law and order issue and without any obscene acts. Therefore, in view of the said reasons, this Court is inclined to quash the proceedings dated 11.03.2025 and the 3rd respondent is directed to give permission to the petitioner to conduct the 'Adala Padal' programme on 19.03.2025 from 07.00 p.m to 11.00 p.m by imposing some conditions. The 3rd respondent is directed to ensure the law and order issue and the petitioner is directed to cooperate for ensuring the safety of the public. The cultural programme 'Adal Padal' has to be conducted without praising any community people and without any obscene acts.

6. With the above said observations and directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

17.03.2025 Internet :Yes Index :Yes/No NCC :Yes/No Mac Page No. 4 of 6

Note: Issue order copy today.

To

1. The Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai.

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Karaikudi, Sivagangai District.

3. The Inspector of Police, Karaikudi North Police Station, Sivagangai District.

4.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

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P.DHANABAL, J.

Mac Note: Issue order copy today.

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