C.Raja v. The Assistant Commissioner
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 28.03.2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR 1.C.Raja 2.Panneerselvam 3.Vairavan ... Petitioners Vs.
1.The Assistant Commissioner, HR & CE, Paramakudi.
2.The Joint Commissioner, HR & CE, Sivagangai.
3.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep., by the Inspector of Police, Singampunari Station, Sivagangai District.
4.The Tahsildar, Singampunari Taluk, Sivagangai District.
... Respondents'
[R4 - impleaded vide Court order dated 28.03.2025 in W.M.P.(MD) No.6623 of 2025 in W.P.(MD) No.8585 of 2025]
Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct Respondents 1 and 2 to allow the petitioners to participate as poojari in the upcoming temple festival how it used to practice in past decades which going to start on 30.03.2025 and direct the 3rd respondent to give protection for the festival. For Petitioners : Ms.B.Bhuvaneshvari For Respondents : Mr.K.S.Selva Ganesan Additional Govt. Pleader - for RR1, 2 & 4 : Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Crl. Side) - for R3
ORDER
The dispute in the writ petition is with regard to the right of the petitioners to perform festive celebrations scheduled to take place from 30th March, 2025 as Poojaris of the temples viz., Mamalainatchiamman Temple, Sri Gangaivinayagar, Sri Manthaiamman and Sri Venaitheerthamman at Ganapathi Patti Village, Piranpatti, Singampunari Taluk, Sivagangai District.
2. Heard Ms.B.Bhuvaneshvari, learned counsel for the petitioners, Mr.K.S.Selva Ganesan, learned Additional Government Pleader for Respondents No.1, 2 and 4 and Mr.K.Gnanasekaran, learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) for Respondent No.3.
3. With the consent of both the parties, this writ petition is taken up for disposal at the admission stage.
4. After hearing the matter for quite some time and considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the Court made a suggestion to dispose of the writ petition directing Respondent No.4 to ensure that the celebrations in question be carried out as was performed during the previous years.
5. Learned counsel on either side reported no objection to the said suggestion.
6. In the light of the above and taking into consideration the fact that similar issue had cropped up during the year 2023 and the same was
resolved by Respondent No.4 herein by conducting Peace Committee Meeting, Respondent No.4 is directed to take all necessary steps for performing the celebrations from 30th March, 2025 as was performed during the years 2023 and 2024, duly taking into consideration the decision taken in the Peace Committee Meeting dated 16.02.2023.
7. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
28.03.2025 Note: Issue order copy by 28.03.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes ABR
To 1.The Assistant Commissioner, HR & CE, Paramakudi.
2.The Joint Commissioner, HR & CE, Sivagangai.
3.The Inspector of Police, State of Tamil Nadu, Singampunari Station, Sivagangai District.
4.The Tahsildar, Singampunari Taluk, Sivagangai District.
MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR, J.
ABR 28.03.2025