G.Arul Gerald Prakash v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 30.04.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI & W.M.P.Crl.(MD)No.619 & 620 of 2026 1.G.Arul Gerald Prakash 2.M.Augustine Varuvel 3.Fatima Mary 4.A.Francis Titus 5.C.Selvaraj ... Petitioners Vs.

1. The District Collector, Kanyakumari District, Nagercoil - 629 001.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Nagercoil Division, Collectorate Campus, Nagercoil - 629 001.

3. The Bishop of Kottar, Bishop's House (Diocese of Kottar), P.B.No.17, Asaripallam Road, Nagercoil - 629 001, Kanniyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India.

4. Fr. Michael George Bright A., Parish Priest and President, Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Punnai Nagar, Nagercoil - 629004.

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5. Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Punnai Nagar, Represented by its Vice-President, Mr.Leo Robin M., Punnai Nagar, Nagercoil - 629 004.

5. Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Punnai Nagar, Represented by its Secretary, Ms.Helen Vasantha Navis D., Punnai Nagar, Nagercoil - 629 004.

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st and 2nd respondents to take immediate and effective action on the petitioner's representations / complaints dated 26.02.2026 and the connected representations dated 02.02.2026 and 13.02.2026, and consequently ensure that the 3rd to 6th respondents forthwith recognise the 2026 parish / festival / 'Asana' contribution paid by the petitioners, issue the corresponding receipts and tokens, and prevent the unlawful social boycott, financial boycott and excommunication-like treatment of the petitioners and their families.

For Petitioners : Mr.Ananth For Respondents : Mr.M.Muthumanikkam (R1 & R2) Government Advocate (Civil)

ORDER

W.M.P.Crl.(MD)No.619 of 2026 filed seeking to file a single Writ Petition is ordered.

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2. This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to respondents 1 and 2 to take immediate and effective action on the petitioners' representations/complaints dated 26.02.2026 and the connected representations dated 02.02.2026 and 13.02.2026, and consequently to ensure that respondents 3 to 6 forthwith recognise the 2026 parish festival/'Asana' contribution paid by the petitioners, issue the corresponding receipts and tokens, and prevent any unlawful social or financial boycott, as well as any excommunication-like treatment of the petitioners and their family.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that earlier the petitioners have filed a petition before this Court in Crl.RC(MD)No. 1181 of 2025 questioning certain irregularities in the administration of the Church. The same was allowed by this Court, pursuant to which, the private respondents herein have developed a grudge as against the petitioners. As a consequence, the petitioners are being prevented from participating in the parish activities, including the payment of contributions towards the 2026 parish festival ('Asana' contribution), and are further being obstructed from taking part in the said festival. Condemning the said exercise, the petitioners required the private respondents to permit them to participate in the Church feast, which was not heeded to. Hence, the petitioners have made 3/6

representations on 26.02.2026, 02.02.2026 and 13.02.2026 before the official respondents. However, the same was not considered. Hence this, writ petition came to be filed.

4. The learned Government Advocate, Mr. M. Muthumanikkam, appearing for the official respondents, submitted that an enquiry is presently pending, and that a peace committee is likely to be convened in the near future. It was further submitted that the representations already received from the parties are under active consideration.

5. Heard the learned counsel on either sides and carefully perused the materials placed on record. Since no adverse order is proposed to be passed against the private respondents, notice to them is dispensed with.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the second respondent is directed to convene a peace committee meeting between the petitioners and the private respondents by issuing due notice to all concerned parties, and to afford them an opportunity of hearing on or before 15.05.2026. The second respondent shall endeavour to resolve the dispute by facilitating the participation of the petitioners in the said feast, including by sensitizing the 4/6

private respondents to receive the requisite contributions from the petitioners towards the same. It is made clear that neither the petitioners nor any of the members of the respondent Church shall be prevented from participating in any functions, festivals, feasts, prayers, or other related religious activities of the Church in the future.

7. With the above direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 30.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No sm Note: Issue order copy on 08.05.2026.

TO:-

1. The District Collector, Kanyakumari District, Nagercoil - 629 001.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Nagercoil Division, Collectorate Campus, Nagercoil - 629 001.

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

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

Sm Order made in Dated 30.04.2026 6/6