Subbaiah v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 25.05.2022
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R. SURESH KUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR Subbaiah : Petitioner vs.
1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector Office, Pudukkottai District.
2.The Superintendent of Police, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.
3.The Inspector of Police, Ponnamaravathy Police Station, Pudukkottai District : Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to give permission and sufficient police protection to conduct "Virattu Manjuvirattu (Jallikattu)" scheduled to be held on 29.05.2022 from 10.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m at Vegukanmai, Ponnamaravathy Taluk, Pudukkottai District, on the occasion of Sri Yegali Amman and Sri Chinnakaruppar Temple Festival on the basis of petitioner's representation, dated 19.05.2022. For Petitioner: Mr.A.Arul Jenifer For R1 to R3 : Mr.S.R.A.Ramachandran Additional Government Pleader
O R D E R
************* [Order of the Court was made by R. SURESH KUMAR, J.] This Writ Petition has been filed in the nature of Mandamus, seeking a direction to the respondents to give permission and sufficient police protection to conduct "Virattu Manjuvirattu (Jallikattu)", which is scheduled to be held on 29.05.2022 from 10.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m at Vegukanmai, Ponnamaravathy Taluk, Pudukkottai District, on the occasion of Sri Yegali Amman and Sri 1/3
Chinnakaruppar Temple Festival, on the basis of petitioner's representation, dated 19.05.2022.
2.The petitioner is claimed to be the President of the Committee constituted by the village people to conduct Jallikattu at Vegukanmai Village, Ponnamaravathy Taluk, Pudukkottai District, on 29.05.2022.
3.In this regard, a request/application had been submitted by the petitioner on 19.05.2022 to the first respondent/District Collector, seeking permission with police protection for conducting the proposed Jallikattu. Since the said representation has not been so far considered and the proposed date for Jallikattu is fastly approaching, the petitioner has rushed to this Court, seeking the afore-stated prayer.
4.Heard the learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner who would submit that every year in the said locality, jallikattu had been conducted and for the years 2020 and 2021, because of COVID-19 situation, Jallikattu was not performed. Therefore, this year they wanted to perform it. Hence, they made an application. However, as the decision is yet to be taken and the date is fastly approaching, the petitioner has approached this Court.
5.Heard the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents who would contend that there has been guidelines issued by the Government to be strictly followed by granting permission for conducting Jallikattu throughout the State and in this regard, after considering the representation given by the petitioner, dated 19.05.2022, a decision would be taken by the first respondent/District Collector and the same would be communicated to the petitioner on or before 29.05.2022 or any other earlier date to be fixed by this Court.
6.Considering the limited prayer sought for herein and taking into account that the Jallikattu had been conducted by the petitioner/Committee in the village concerned in the yesteryears namely, 2017 to 2019, this Court is inclined to give the following directions:
The first respondent/District Collector is directed to consider the request/application submitted by the petitioner, dated 19.05.2022, on behalf of the Committee constituted in the village concerned for conducting Jallikattu on 29.05.2022 and decide the same on merits and in accordance with law, pass orders and communicate the same to the petitioner on or before 27.05.2022. 2/3
7.With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.
Sd/- Vacation Officer/ Assistant Registrar // True Copy // / /2022 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) lr/smn2 To 1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector Office, Pudukkottai District.
2.The Superintendent of Police, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.
3.The Inspector of Police, Ponnamaravathy Police Station, Pudukkottai District
4. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
+1 CC to M/s.A. ARUL JENIFER, Advocate ( SR-24123[F] dated 25/05/2022 ) +1 CC to M/s.SPL.GP. ( SR-24142[F] dated 26/05/2022 ) 0RDER MADE IN 25.05.2022 TR(26.05.2022) 3P 7C 3/3