Madras High CourtWP Crl.(MD)/1577/2026disposed of

P.Shanmugam Gounder v. The Superintendent Of Police, Trichy,

2026-03-18Honourable Mrs Justice L.Victoria Gowri5 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 18/03/2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI P.Shanmugam Gounder ... Petitioner Vs

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

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Manapparai Division, Trichy District.

3. State of Tamilnadu Rep by Inspector of Police, Manapparai Police Station, Trichy District.

4. Varatharaja Perumal Gounder ... Respondents PRAYER :- To issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents no.1 to 3 to grant permission and give adequate police protection to the petitioner to conduct the Panguni festival of Arulmigu Vinayagar and Yelu Pillai Mariamman Temple at Sooliyapatti Village, Sooliyapatti Village, Manapparai Taluk, Trichy District, scheduled to be held on 20.03.2026 to 23.03.2026 based on the representation of the petitioner dated 12.03.2026.

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For Petitioner : Mr. A.N.Ramanathan, Advocate.

For Respondent : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar for R1 to R3 Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

This writ petition is filed seeking to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents no.1 to 3 to grant permission and give adequate police protection to the petitioner to conduct the Panguni festival of Arulmigu Vinayagar and Yelu Pillai Mariamman Temple at Sooliyapatti Village, Sooliyapatti Village, Manapparai Taluk, Trichy District, scheduled to be held on 20.03.2026 to 23.03.2026 based on the representation of the petitioner dated 12.03.2026.

2. Considering the fact that no adverse order is passed as against the fourth respondent, notice to the fourth respondent is dispensed with.

3. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record. 2/5

4. It is needless to point out that whenever a representation of this nature is made to a Statutory Authority, there is a duty cast upon him to consider the same on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in one way or other, instead of keeping the same pending indefinitely. As such, non-consideration of the representation by the Statutory Authority would amount to dereliction of duty and hence, this Court will be justified in invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India and direct them to consider the same within a stipulated time.

5. In the light of the above observations, there shall be a direction to the third respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 12.03.2026, on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, after giving notice to the petitioner, the fourth respondent as well as all other persons, who may be interested in the subject matter, on or before 19.03.2026. It is also made clear that this Court has not expressed any of its views with regard to the merits of the matter and that it is open to the respondents to consider the same on its own merits. 3/5

6. With the above observations and directions, the Writ Petition stands disposed of.

18.03.2026 NCC : yes / no Index : yes / no Note: Issue order copy on 18.03.2026 pnn To

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

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Manapparai Division, Trichy District.

3. The Inspector of Police, Manapparai Police Station, Trichy District.

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

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L. VICTORIA GOWRI, J pnn

ORDER

IN WP CRL.(MD) No.1577 of 2026 Date : 18/03/2026 5/5