← Library
Madras High CourtWP Crl.(MD)/2288/2026disposed of

K.Kuppusamy v. The Superintendent Of Police,

2026-04-22Honourable Mrs Justice L.Victoria Gowri8 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 22.04.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI K.Kuppusamy ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Superintendent of Police, Karur District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Sinthamanipatti Police Station, Karur District.

3. Rajendran

4. The Tahsildar, Kadavur Taluk, Karur District.

... Respondents (R4 is suo motu impleaded vide order of this Court dated 22.04.2026 passed in this petition.) PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 and 2 to provide adequate police protection for the peaceful conduct of the temple festival and to do Poojas at Arulmigu Shri Pattatharasi Amman, Shri Madurai Veeran, Shri Karuppasamy Temple at Karichipatti, Sinthamanipatti Post, Kadavur Taluk, Karur District, from 24.05.2026 to 28.05.2026. 1/8

For Petitioner : Mr.H.Arumugan For Respondents : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar (R1 & R2) Government Advocate (Crl.) Mr.Karthikeya Venkatachalapathy (R3) Mr.M.Muthumanikkam (R4) Government Advocate (Civil)

ORDER

This petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the respondents 1 and 2 to provide adequate police protection for the peaceful conduct of the temple festival and to do poojas at Arulmigu Shri Pattatharasi Amman, Shri Madurai Veeran, Shri Karuppasamy Temple at Karichipatti, Sinthamanipatti Post, Kadavur Taluk, Karur District, from 24.05.2026 to 28.05.2026.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the temple, namely Arulmigu Shri Pattatharasi Amman, Shri Madurai Veeran, Shri Karuppasamy Temple, along with 21 other deities, is situated at Karichipatti Village, Sinthamanipatti Post, Kadavur Taluk, Karur District. It was further submitted that the petitioner is the Nattamai of the said village and that the temple was founded by his forefathers, namely the Ponnambala Karai Pangalis. The temple is claimed to exclusively belong to the petitioner's community and has been in existence from time immemorial. As of now, there are about 400 2/8

pangalis in the Ponnambala Karai Pangalis community, and the said deities are the kuladeivam of the group.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that during the year 2025, the third respondent filed a writ petition in W.P.(Crl.) (MD) No. 342 of 2025 seeking police protection for the temple festival. The said petition was disposed of on 24.07.2025, with a direction to the police to provide adequate protection, ensure that no one is prevented from participating in the festival, and to prohibit goat sacrifice. It is further submitted that, with mala fide intention, the third respondent misinterpreted the said order as if he had been recognized as the administrator of the temple and prevented other pangalis, who opposed him, from participating in the temple festival. The same was thwarted due to timely intervention; however, the respondent police did not take any action in this regard. Thereafter, the petitioner's group conducted the festival independently.

4. It is also submitted that the third respondent filed another writ petition in WP.Crl.(MD)No.1300 of 2025 seeking to forbear the petitioner group from conducting temple festival and the same was dismissed on 09.09.2025. Thereafter, the respondent police permitted the petitioner to make the offering 3/8

on a single day, without following the customary practice of taking pudiman 40 days prior to the temple festival and observing fasting during the said period. The petitioner had also filed a petition in WP(MD)No. 5907 of 2025 seeking electricity connection for the temple and the same was disposed of on 05.03.2025, directing the EB officials to consider the same, pursuant to which, electricity connection was provided to the temple. This year, the temple festival is scheduled to be held from 24.05.2026 to 28.05.2026. Hence, the petitioner had sent a representation on 04.04.2026 to the respondents seeking police protection to ensure peaceful conduct of the festival. Hence, this writ petition came to be filed.

5. The learned counsel appearing for the third respondent submitted that earlier in the writ petition filed by the third respondent before this Court in WP.CRl.(MD)No.342 of 2025, this Court, by order dated 24.07.2025 permitted the third respondent group to conduct the temple festival and that too with the protection of the second respondent police. The question as to who is the administrator of the said temple could be decided only by instituting a proper civil case before appropriate forum by either of the parties and the same cannot be decided before this Court. However, it is significant that the temple festival should be conducted even this year. In this regard, a common person may be 4/8

permitted to conduct a temple festival facilitating the participation of the petitioner party, as well as the third respondent party.

6. Heard the learned counsel on either sides and carefully perused the materials placed before this Court.

7. Considering the submissions made by the petitioner's counsel and the learned counsel for the third respondent, the Tahsildar, Kadavur Taluk, Karur District is suo motu impleaded as the 4th respondent, for whom, Mr.M.Muthumanikkam, learned Government Advocate takes notice. Registry is directed to carry out necessary amendment.

8. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the 4th respondent is directed to convene a peace committee between the petitioner's group and the 3rd respondent's group, by issuing notice to both parties, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. In the said peace committee, the conduct of the temple festival shall be finalized by the 4th respondent in coordination with both parties on the scheduled dates. 5/8

9. It is made clear that no person belonging to either the petitioner's group or the third respondent's group shall be permitted to claim any right of first respect. It is further made clear that there shall be no goat sacrifice, particularly of pregnant animals, as part of or in connection with the festival. The petitioner's group as well as the third respondent's group shall not prevent or obstruct any person from participating in the festival. The second respondent police are directed to provide adequate police protection to the petitioner and the villagers to ensure the peaceful conduct of the temple festival. The representatives of all the 400 pangalis shall be facilitated to participate in the peace committee.

10. With the above direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. 22.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No sm Note: Issue order copy on 29.04.2026.

6/8

TO:-

1. The Superintendent of Police, Karur District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Sinthamanipatti Police Station, Karur District.

3.The Tahsildar, Kadavur Taluk, Karur District.

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

7/8

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

Sm Order made in Dated 22.04.2026 8/8