A.Muthupandi v. The District Collector,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 30.03.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR A.Muthupandi .. Petitioner - Vs. -
1. The District Collector, Dindigul District, Dindigul.
2. The Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District, Dindigul.
3.The Tahsildar, Nilakottai Taluk, Nilakottai, Dindigul District.
4.The Inspector of Police, Nilakottai Police Station, Nilakottai, Dindigul District.
.. Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the Respondent Nos.2 and 4 to grant permission for the petitioner to conduct the Sri Muthalamman Temple Festival at Siddhargal Natham 1/5
village as per the ancient customs and hereditary practices by considering the representation given by the petitioner dated 19.03.2026.
For Petitioner : Mr.K.Jeyamohan For R1 & R3 : Mr.N.Ramesh Arumugam Government Advocate For R2 &R4 : Mr.A.Albert James, Government Advocate(Crl. Side) For Intervenor : Mr.N.Satheesh Babu
ORDER
The present petition has been filed seeking a Mandamus directing the respondents 2 and 4 to permit the petitioner to conduct the Sri Muthalamman Temple Festival at Siddhargal Natham village as per the ancient customs and hereditary practices by considering the representation given by the petitioner dated 19.03.2026.
2. As per the averment in the affidavit, the petitioner claims that he is the Headman of the 2/5
village and he has got right to conduct the temple festival as per the ancient customs and hereditary practices.
3.It is the settled position of law that a mandamus can be issued to enforce the legal right and not to enforce any customary practises or hereditary practices. Therefore, the question of issuing any positive mandamus in favour of the petitioner as against the respondent Nos.2 and 4 to permit him to conduct the village is legally not sustainable. The learned counsel appearing for one Mr.Ramanujam submitted that the said Ramanujam is the 'Oor Aranmanaikarar'
and the Election Officer, Nilakkottai Assembly Constituency, has granted permission in his favour to conduct the temple festival by way of proceedings dated 25.03.2026. 4.In view of the above said facts the writ petition stands disposed of with a direction to the authorities to permit the petitioner to offer his prayers. As far as the order dated 25.03.2026 issued 3/5
by the Election Officer, Nilakkottai Assembly Constituency is concerned, it is left open to the petitioner to challenge the same in a manner known to law if he is so advised. No Costs.
30.03.2026 Internet :Yes/No Index :Yes/No NCC :Yes/No PJL TO
1. The District Collector, Dindigul District, Dindigul.
2. The Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District, Dindigul.
3.The Tahsildar, Nilakottai Taluk, Nilakottai, Dindigul District.
4.The Inspector of Police, Nilakottai Police Station, Nilakottai, Dindigul District.
4/5
R.VIJAYAKUMAR,J PJL
ORDER
IN WP CRL.(MD) No.1766 of 2026 Date : 30.03.2026 5/5