M.Padmanaban v. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.04.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI and W.P.M.P(MD)Nos.622 & 623 of 2026 M.Padmanaban ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kulithalai, Karur District.

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

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to call the records relating to the proceedings of the 2nd respondent made in Na.Ka.No.003/Ka.Aa/Kulithalai dated 27.04.2026 and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to provide protection for temple festival namely Flower Shower at Arulmigu Mahamari Amman Temple, Kulithalai, Karur District on 03.05.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Govindarajan for Mr.R.Murali For Respondents : Mr.Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar Government Advocate (Crl.) 1/5

ORDER

Challenging the impugned proceedings of the 2nd respondent, dated 27.04.2026 and consequently direct the respondents to provide police protection to the temple festival namely Flower Shower at Arulmigu Mahamari Amman Temple, Kulithalai, Karur District on 03.05.2026, this writ petition is filed.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the proceeding dated 27.04.2026 denying permission for conduct of Flower Shower at Arulmigu Mahamari Amman Temple, Kulithalai, Karur District on 03.05.2026 , has been passed for the sole reason that a murder had happened in the previous day festival.

3. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) submitted that the police anticipate untoward incidents during the temple festival and hence, sought for dismissal of this petition.

4. Heard the learned counsel on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.

5. It is seen that the temple festival, more particularly Flower Shower at Arulmigu Mahamari Amman Temple, Kulithalai, Karur District is being 2/5

conducted for the past more than 100 years and it is a very age-old temple with a renowned reputation. Except during the COVID-19 pandemic, the temple festival was not stopped for any other reason. It is for the respondent police to take necessary steps to prevent any untoward incident during any of the temple festivals, even in the instant case, it is not an exception, and hence, the 2nd respondent police is directed to afford necessary police protection on 03.05.2026 facilitating the temple Trustees in conducting Flower Shower at Arulmigu Mahamari Amman Temple, Kulithalai, Karur District. The 1st respondent police is directed to deploy additional necessary police force for the peaceful conduct of the function. The impugned order, dated 27.04.2026 is quashed and the 2nd respondent police is directed to facilitate the peaceful conduct of the function. The petitioner is directed to co-operate with the police for deploying necessary protection.

6. With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands allowed. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. 29.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg Note: Issue order copy on 29.04.2026.

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TO:- 1.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kulithalai, Karur District.

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

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

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

gbg Order made in Dated 29.04.2026 5/5