Ramasamy K v. The District Collector,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 29.04.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN W.P.(MD) No.12666 of 2025 K.Ramasamy ... Petitioner vs.

1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

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

3.The Joint Commissioner of HR & CE, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

4.The Assistant Commissioner of HR & CE, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

5.The Executive Officer, Sri Sevuga Perumal Ayyanar Thirukovil, Sithakkur, Thiruppunavasal, Pudukkottai District.

6.The Hereditary Trustee, Sri Sevuga Perumal Ayyanar Thirukovil, Sithakkur, Thiruppunavasal, Avudayar Kovil Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

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7.The Tahsildar, Avudayarkoil Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

8.The Inspector of Police, Karur Police Station, Avudayarkoil Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

9.R.Anbalagan 10.AL.Sekar (R9 and R10 have been impleaded vide order dated 29.04.2025) ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents 1 to 7 not to give any personal or special honour to any individuals persons during the Chithira Pournami Festival for the Arulmigu Sri Sevuga Perumal Ayyanar Thirukovil at Sithakoor, Thiruppunavasal, Avudayar Kovil Taluk, Pudukkottai District till the disposal of the O.A.Nos 21,22,24/2023 pending on the file of the 1st Respondent. For Petitioner :Mr.M.R.Sreenivasan For R1 to R4 & R7:Mr.K.S.Selvaganesan Additional Government Pleader For R5 : Mr.G.Mathavan For R8 : Mr.M.Karunanithi Government Advocate For R9 & R10 : Mr.V.Karthikeyan 2/7

ORDER

The petitioner seeks for the following relief:- "Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents 1 to 7 not to give any personal or special honour to any individuals persons during the Chithira Pournami Festival for the Arulmigu Sri Sevuga Perumal Ayyanar Thirukovil at Sithakoor, Thiruppunavasal, Avudayar Kovil Taluk, Pudukkottai District till the disposal of the O.A.Nos 21, 22, 24/2023 pending on the file of the 1st Respondent."

2.The entire dispute arises with respect to the honours that are given during Chithira Pournami festival at Arulmigu Sri Sevuga Peruamal Ayyanar Thirukovil at Sithakoor, Thiruppunavasal, Avudayar Kovil Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

3.A similar issue was presented before the Hon'ble Mr.Justice G.R.SWAMINATHAN last year in K.Ramasamy Vs. The Joint Commissioner of HR & CE, Thanjavur District, W.P.(MD) No.9962 of 2024, dated 22.04.2024. The learned Judge disposed of the writ petition with the following directions:- 3/7

"3.It is seen that O.As have been filed before the first respondent with regard conferment of first honour. Till the issues are decided, the question of conferring first honour on any body does not arise at all. I specifically direct that no first honour will be conferred on any person. The temple festival shall be conducted as per the customary rights. " 4.Mr.M.R.Sreenivasan states that despite this order, the practise of giving honours was continued by the HR & CE Department.

5.Mr.K.S.Selvaganesan states that the festival alone was conducted and no person was given any honour. He further undertakes to dispose of O.A.Nos.21, 22 and 24 of 2023 within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 6.Mr.G.Mathavan states that this year too, the honours, that were demanded by the contesting parties, will not be given, but the festival will be conducted with all the religiosity that it requires. 4/7

7.The statements of Mr.K.S.Selvaganesan and Mr.G.Mathavan are recorded.

8.This year and in the ensuing years, till the original applications are disposed of by the third respondent/the Joint Commissioner, HR & CE Department, Thanjavur, first honours will not be given to any one, however, the temple festival will be conducted with all the seriousness that it deserves. In case, the third respondent does not dispose of the O.As., within three months as undertaken by Mr.K.S.Selvaganesan, the respondents 9 and 10 are entitled to move this Court by way of a contempt petition. Both the contesting parties shall co-operate with the third respondent for disposal of O.As., 9.With the aforesaid directions, the Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

Index :Yes / No 29.04.2025 Internet :Yes / No mm To 1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

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

3.The Joint Commissioner of HR & CE, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

4.The Assistant Commissioner of HR & CE, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

5.The Executive Officer, Sri Sevuga Perumal Ayyanar Thirukovil, Sithakkur, Thiruppunavasal, Pudukkottai District.

6.The Tahsildar, Avudayarkoil Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

7.The Inspector of Police, Karur Police Station, Avudayarkoil Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

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V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN, J.

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