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Madras High CourtWP(MD)/8411/2025closed

Pandi Ss v. The District Collector

2025-03-27Honourable Mr. Justice P.Dhanabal8 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.03.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.DHANABAL SS. Pandi ... Petitioner Vs

1. The District Collector,

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thirumangalam Sub Division, Thirumangalam, Madurai District - 625 706.

3. The Tahsildar, Thirumangalam Taluk Office, Thirumangalam,

4. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, Madurai District - 625 001.

5. The Superintendent of Police, 1/8

6. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Usilampatti Sub Division, Usilampatti,

7. The Inspector of Police, Checkanurani Police Station, Checkanurani,

8. Jeyaraj

9. Mani

10. Kannan

11. Balu ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Mandamus, direct the 1 to 3 respondents to take action for the participation of all the 7 pangalies in the upcoming Panguni Pongal Festival - 2025 scheduled to be conducted on 28.03.2025 to 30.03.2025 on the basis of the representation dated 17.03.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Sundar For Respondents : Mr.M.Senthil Ayyanar (R1-R4) Government Advocate Mr.R.M.Anbunithi (R5- R7) Additional Public Prosecutor Mr.D.Balamurugapandi (R8-11) 2/8

ORDER

The present writ petition has been filed to direct the 1 to 3 respondents to take action for the participation of all the 7 pangalies in the upcoming Panguni Pongal Festival - 2025 scheduled to be conducted on 28.03.2025 to 30.03.2025 on the basis of the representation dated 17.03.2025.

2. According to the petitioner, he belongs to Ponnamagalam Village, Thirumangalam Taluk, Madurai District and in his village, all the villagers used to conduct Panguni Pongal festival for Sri Ayyanar Karuppanasamy, Chellayee Amman and Manthiaiyammal Temple every year. The petitioner is one of the Pangali out of seven Pangalis, for the temple. While so, the respondents 8 to 11 belongs to 2nd Pangali collected come contribution from the public and decided to celebrate the said festival and they will permit only their people to participate in the temple. The private respondents 8 to 11 will not permit the petitioner and other Pangalis to participate in the temple festival, since the temple is belongs to them. In this regard, all the Pangalis gave a representation 3/8

before the respondents 1 to 7 on 17.03.2025 and the same was not considered. Hence, this petition has been filed. 3.The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 would submit that the temple viz., Sri Ayyanar Karuppanasamy, Chellayee Amman and Manthiaiyammal Temple belongs to the HR & CE Department and the Thakkar is the competent person to conduct any festival. All the public can worship the temple in the event of Panguni Pongal. They will approach the respondents 5 to 7 to provide police protection during the festival. Therefore, there is no discrimination as alleged by the petitioner. The petitioner can also participate in the Pongal festival.

4.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents 5 to 7 would submit that there is a dispute between the petitioner and the private respondents. The main allegation made by the petitioner is against one Jeyaraj, who is the 8th respondent herein. The 8th respondent has also appeared before the 7th respondent and gave a written statement that he will co-operate for peaceful conduct of festival. 4/8

Therefore, the matter has already been settled. Hence, no further orders are required to be passed in this case.

5.The learned counsel appearing for the respondents 8 to 11 would submit that the 8th respondent is the Thakkar, appointed by the HR & CE Department and he has no objection for the participation of the petitioner in the temple festival.

6.This Court had heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

7.The main grievance of the petitioner is that the private respondents restrained the petitioner from worshiping the deity and to take part in Panguni Pongal festival, which is scheduled to be held from 28.03.2025 to 30.03.2025.

8.Since all the respondents denied the allegations levelled by the petitioner and they have not restrained the petitioner from worshiping the deity and to take part in Panguni Pongal at Sri Ayyanar 5/8

Karuppanasamy, Chellayee Amman and Manthiaiyammal Temple from 28.03.2025 to 30.03.2025 and they have no objection to grant police protection during the festival, this petition is closed by recording the submission of the respondents.

27.03.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes Note : Issue order copy on 27.03.2025 PNM To

1. The District Collector,

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thirumangalam Sub Division, Thirumangalam, Madurai District - 625 706.

3. The Tahsildar, Thirumangalam Taluk Office, Thirumangalam,

4. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, Madurai District - 625 001.

6/8

5. The Superintendent of Police,

6. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Usilampatti Sub Division, Usilampatti,

7. The Inspector of Police, Checkanurani Police Station, Checkanurani, 8.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

7/8

P.DHANABAL, J.

PNM ORDER IN 27.03.2025 8/8