K.Jegadheeshwaran v. State Of Tamilnadu Rep By Inspector Of Police, Paramakudi Town

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 10.04.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI and W.P.M.P.Crl.(MD)Nos.517, 518 & 518 of 2026 K.Jegadheeshwaran ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The State of Tamilnadu, Rep by Inspector of Police, Paramakudi Town Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

2.The Sub Inspector of Police, Paramakudi Town Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

3.Chandrasekar ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned rejection order dated 08.04.2026 on the file of the 2nd respondent and quash the same as illegal and consequently directing the respondent nos.1 and 2 to permit the petitioner to participate as a Poojari and perform customary ritual practice namely Godly Frenzy (rhkpahLjy;) in the Arulmigu Sri Paththini Amman temple festival held on 10.04.2026 (Friday) is situated at Kovalan Street, Paramakudi Town, Ramanathapuram District within time stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.I.Robert Chandra Kumar For R1 & R2 : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar Government Advocate (Crl.)

ORDER

Challenging the impugned order passed by the 2nd respondent on 08.04.2026 and consequently direct the respondents 1 and 2 to permit the petitioner to participate participate as Maruladi (Samiyaduthal) in Arulmigu Sri Paththini Amman temple festival, which is scheduled to be held on 10.04.2026, this writ petition is filed.

2. Since no adverse order is passed against the 3rd respondent, notice to the 3rd respondent is dispensed with.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that his father Kandhan was one among the Maruladis of Arulmigu Sri Paththini Amman temple who performed Godly Frenzy (rhkpahLjy;). After his demise, the petitioner is one among the Maruladis in the aforesaid temple. However, to the petitioner's surprise and shock, in this year, his name is excluded from among the other four Maruladis in performing the divine frenzy dance on 10.04.2026 in the Temple festival event. Since the petitioner's name was excluded, he made 2/7

a representation before the 2nd respondent on 31.03.2026. However, the same was rejected by the 2nd respondent directing the petitioner to approach the Civil Court. Challenging the same, this writ petition is filed.

4. The learned Government Advocate(Criminal) submitted that the matter has been urgently filed and brought as lunch motion with regard to a temple festival, which is to be conducted tonight (10.04.2026) and he is bereft of any instructions from the 2nd respondent police station.

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

6. It is seen that the 2nd respondent has passed the impugned order, rejecting the petitioner's claim from participating as a Maruladi in the temple festival. The petitioner's father still his demise, performed as one among the Maruladis and after his demise, the petitioner had also performed as Maruladi among the total five Maruladis. Without any notice, the temple administration has excluded him from performing the divine frenzy dance. However, the 2nd respondent has passed the impugned order directing the petitioner to approach the Civil Court to conduct himself as one of the maruladis of the temple. This 3/7

Court is of the concerned view that the petitioner's right of performing as Maruladi will not have any impact in the administration of the day to day affairs of the temple and he should not be excluded from performing as a Maruladi during temple festival. In view of the same, it is made clear that the petitioner should not claim any right of administration or any other specific first honor during the temple festival in Arulmigu Sri Paththini Amman temple. For the purpose of facilitating him to perform the divine frenzy dance, the impugned ordered is hereby set aside, directing the petitioner to participate in the temple festival as a Maruladi and perform divine dance along with other Maruladis at the time of Saamiyaduthal. It is made clear that the petitioner should not resort to the same tactics of seeking permission to perform as a Maruladi during next temple festival in the last minute.

7. With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. 10.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg 4/7

Note: Issue order copy on 10.04.2026.

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TO:- 1.The Inspector of Police, Paramakudi Town Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

2.The Sub Inspector of Police, Paramakudi Town Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

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

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

gbg Order made in Dated 10.04.2026 7/7