Shanmugam v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.04.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.DHANABAL Shanmugam ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

2. The Revenue Divisional Office, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.

3. The Superintendent of Police, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

4. The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

5. The Inspector of Police, K.Puduppatti Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

6. Periyasamy ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents no.1 to 5 to collect tax from the petitioner and permit to participate in the Page No. 1 of 7

Temple Festival of ''Arulmighu Shri Muthumariyamman Temple'' and ensure the petitioner's right of worshipping of Arulmighu Shri Muthumariyamman Temple Situated at Nambooranipatti Village, K.Rayavaram Post, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District Scheduled to be held from 03.06.2025 on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 22.04.2025.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.Karuna For R1, R2 & R4 : Mr.M.Senthil Ayyanar Government Advocate For R3 & R5 : Mr.R.M.Anbunithi Additional Public Prosecutor (Crl. Side) For R6 : Ms.Rohini

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed by the petitioner to direct the respondents no.1 to 5 to collect tax from the petitioner and permit to participate in the Temple Festival, namely, ''Arulmighu Shri Muthumariyamman Temple'' situated at Nambooranipatti Village, K.Rayavaram Post, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District, which is scheduled to be held from 03.06.2025 and to ensure the petitioner's right of worshipping of the said Temple on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 22.04.2025.

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2. According to the petitioner, he is one of the villager and he also used to worship the God, namely, ''Arulmighu Shri Muthumariyamman Temple'' situated at Nambooranipatti Village, K.Rayavaram Post, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District. Now, the members of the festival committee are taking steps to conduct the Temple Festival from 03.06.2025 and they also collecting tax. Now the private respondent no.6, who one of the festival committee member has refused to receive the tax from the petitioner and ex-communicated the petitioner's family. Therefore, he sent a representation dated 22.04.2025 to the official respondents no.1 to 5, but they have not taken any steps. Hence, he has filed this petition.

3. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police no.3 and 5 would submit that they received the representation of the petitioner and the same was forwarded to the revenue authorities for conduct of Peace Committee Meeting.

4. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents no.1, 2 and 4 would submit that the representation of the petitioner is pending for conduct of Peace Committee Meeting. Page No. 3 of 7

5. Considering the limited scope of the prayer sought for in this petition, this Court without even issuing notice to the private respondent no.6, is inclined to pass order.

6. Since the respondents no.3 and 5 have forwarded the petitioner's representation to the revenue authorities for conduct of Peace Committee Meeting and the same is also pending, this Court directs the 1st respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 22.04.2025 and take steps to conduct Peace Committee Meeting by the appropriate officials and take appropriate decision in accordance with law after affording an opportunity to both the parties, within a period of fifteen days from the date of this order.

7. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. 29.04.2025 Internet :Yes Index :Yes/No NCC :Yes/No Mac Page No. 4 of 7

To

1. The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

2. The Revenue Divisional Office, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai District.

3. The Superintendent of Police, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

4. The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

5. The Inspector of Police, K.Puduppatti Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

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

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P.DHANABAL, J.

Mac Page No. 6 of 7

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