Madras High CourtWP Crl.(MD)/1876/2026disposed of

A.Petchimuthu v. The Superintendent Of Police, Tenkasi District

2026-04-02Honourable Mrs Justice L.Victoria Gowri6 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 02.04.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI A.Petchimuthu ... Petitioner Vs.

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

2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi.

3.The Inspector of Police, Ayyapuram Police Station, Tenkasi District - 627 803.

4.Karuppasamy ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission to the petitioner to celebrate and to perform the upcoming Panguni Festival of Arulmigu Kaduvetti Karuppasamy Kovil situated at Mahendravadi Village, Thiruvenkadam Taluk, Tenkasi District of this year to be conducted on 03.04.2026 followed by Pongal, Kida Vettuthal, Saama Poojai in a peaceful manner on the guise of the petitioner's representation dated 25.03.2026 by providing adequate police protection to the residents of the petitioner's village and further forbearing the 4th respondent or his men or his agents from 1/6

conducting the Panguni Festival of the temple. For Petitioner : Mr.S.A.Ganapathyraman For Respondents : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar (R1 - R3) Government Advocate (Crl.) Mr.D.Shanmugarajasethupathy (R4)

ORDER

Seeking to direct the respondents to grant permission to the petitioner to celebrate and to perform the upcoming Panguni festival of Arulmigu Kaduvetti Karuppasamy Kovil situated at Mahendravadi Village, Thiruvenkadam Taluk, Tenkasi District on 03.04.2026, followed by Pongal, Kida Vettuthal, Saama Poojai considering the petitioner's representation, dated 25.03.2026 and forbearing the 4th respondent and his men from conducting Panguni festival of the temple, this writ petition is filed.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that in the previous year, the 4th respondent group had broke open the Hundi of the temple and had misappropriated the entire offering amount which was in the Hundi. In this regard, the petitioner had already lodged a complaint as against the 4th respondent parties to the 3rd respondent police. However, due to the inaction of the 3rd respondent, the petitioner was compelled to file a civil suit in O.S.No. 119 of 2022 on the file of the Principal District Munsif, Sankarankovil. The suit 2/6

is for permanent junction seeking to restrain the 4th respondent parties from interfering with the peaceful administration and conduct of festivals in the subject temple and the same is pending. He further pointed out that if the 4th respondent parties are allowed to conduct temple festival, what had happened in the earlier year would continue even this year and sought for the indulgence by granting him permission to conduct temple festival on 03.04.2026.

3. It is also brought to my attention that in W.P(MD)No.9728 of 2025 dated 07.04.2025, permission was granted by this Court permitting the 4th respondent to conduct temple festival. Pursuant to which, temple festival was also conducted by the 4th respondent. However, last year no temple festival was conducted due to the dispute between both the parties.

4. The learned Government Advocate(Criminal) placed before me the order passed by the 3rd respondent police dated 15.03.2026 permitting the 4th respondent to conduct temple festival on 03.04.2026 and 04.04.2026.

5. The learned counsel for the 4th respondent submitted that in view of the permission obtained by the 4th respondent on 15.03.2026 to conduct temple festival on 03.04.2026, they may be permitted to conduct temple festival on the 3/6

same date. However, he submitted that 4th respondent parties do not have any objection for the petitioner parties to conduct the temple festival in any other day as scheduled by this Court.

6. Heard the learned counsel on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.

7. In view of the permission already granted by the 3rd respondent police to the 4th respondent to conduct Temple festival on 03.04.2026, the 4th respondent parties are permitted to conduct the festival on 03.04.2026 and 04.04.2026. It is made clear that the 3rd respondent police would facilitate the petitioner parties to conduct the temple festival on 05.04.2026 and 06.04.2026. Since both the parties submitted before this Court that they have their respective keys for opening the temple and conduct the temple festival, this Court makes it clear that they will not approach either party for handing over the keys for the conduct of the temple festival. It is also made clear that if any of the parties indulge in breaking open the existing lock and key, the 3rd respondent police will take severe action against the said party. 4/6

8. With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

02.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg Note: Issue order copy on 02.04.2026.

TO:- 1.The Superintendent of Police, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sankarankovil, Tenkasi.

3.The Inspector of Police, Ayyapuram Police Station, Tenkasi District - 627 803.

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

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

gbg Order made in Dated 02.04.2026 6/6