S.Velankanni, v. The Superintendent Of Police
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.07.2017
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.S.SUNDAR W.P.(MD)No.13427 of 2017 S.Velankanni ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Superintendent of Police, Trichy District, Trichy.
2.The Inspector of Police, Manapparai Police Station, Manapparai, Trichy District.
... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein to give necessary police protection and permit the petitioner to conduct "Adalum Padalum" cultural program during Punitha Sathiyagappar Church situated in Chettiyapatti Village, Pitchaimaniyarampatti, Manapparai Taluk, Trichy District on 25.07.2017 at 07.00 to 11.00 p.m. by considering the petitioner's representation dated 17.07.2017. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Suresh For Respondent : Mr.A.K.Baskara Pandian, Special Government Pleader.
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O R D E R
The petitioner has come forward with this Writ Petition for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus seeking a direction to the respondents herein to give necessary police protection and permit the petitioner to conduct "Adalum Padalum" cultural program during Punitha Sathiyagappar Church situated in Chettiyapatti Village, Pitchaimaniyarampatti, Manapparai Taluk, Trichy District on 25.07.2017 at 07.00 to 11.00 p.m. by considering the petitioner's representation dated 17.07.2017.
2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the villagers jointly decided to conduct "Adalum Padalum"
programme on 25.07.2017 in connection with a festival of "Punitha Sathiyagappar Church" situated in Chettiyapatti Village, Pitchaimaniyarampatti, Manapparai Taluk, Trichy District. He further submitted that in this connection, a representation was given to the respondent on 17.07.2017, with a request to grant permission and protection to conduct the programme on the above said date. However, the respondent Police has not yet considered
the said representation and hence, the petitioner is before this Court with this Writ Petition.
3. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents on instruction submitted that there is likelihood of law and order problem, due to the fact that the programme is likely attract more crowd of people from neighbouring villages and further submitted that no untoward incident took place in the past years.
4. Since, no other incidents reported during previous years and no antecedent indicating communal disharmony is reported, denying permission to the petitioner will amount to discrimination as similar permission is being given throughout the State. Hence, considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the Writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the second respondent/Inspector of Police, Manapparai Police Station, Manapparai Taluk, Trichy District, to consider the representation of the petitioner, dated 17.07.2017 and to give permission and to provide police protection for "Adalum Padalum" programme in connection with the festival of "Punitha Sathiyagappar Church" situated in Chettiyapatti Village, Pitchaimaniyarampatti, Manapparai Taluk, Trichy District, scheduled to be held on 25.07.
2017, subject to the following conditions and any other reasonable restrictions that may be imposed by the respondent in the interest of public and to preserve the law and order: (a) the "Adalum Padalum" programme in connection with the festival at "Punitha Sathiyagappar Church" situated in Chettiyapatti Village, Pitchaimaniyarampatti, Manapparai Taluk, Trichy District, scheduled to be held on 25.07.2017 should be completed before 10.30 p.m.
(c) double meaning songs should not be played so as to spoil the minds of students and the youth; (d) no dance or songs, touching upon any political party or religion, community or caste be played; (e) no flex boards in support of any political party or religious leader be erected;
(f) the function should not affect either religious or communal harmony and shall be conducted without any discrimination based on caste;
(g) if there is any violation of any one of the conditions imposed, the concerned Police Officer is at liberty to take necessary action, as per law and stop
such performance;
(h) similarly, the Police is empowered to stop the dance programme, if it exceeds beyond the permitted time;
(i) the participants of the programme shall not intake any kind of in-toxic substance or liquor during the programme; and (j) if any untoward incident takes place, the organizers of the programme be made responsible for the same.
No costs.
Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS-I) /True copy/ Sub Assistant Registrar To 1.The Superintendent of Police, Trichy District, Trichy.
2.The Inspector of Police, Manapparai Police Station, Manapparai, Trichy District.
+1cc to Mr.M.Suresh, Advocate,SR.66736 W.P.(MD)No.13427 of 2017 20.07.2017 SRM/IA KK/SKN RSK/SAR1-21.07.2017-3P-4C