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Madras High CourtWP Crl.(MD)/2701/2026disposed of

P.Muthukutty v. The Superintendent Of Police

2026-05-07Honourable Mrs Justice S.Srimathy6 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 07.05.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mrs.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY P.Muthukutty

...Petitioner

vs.

1. The Superintendent of Police, O/o. The Superintendent of Police, Tirunelveli District.

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, O/o. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nanguneri Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

3. The Inspector of Police, Moolakaraipatty Police Station, Tirunelveli District.

4. M.Maharajan

5. S.Murugan 6.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Cheranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District.

...Respondents

(R6 is suo motu impleaded vide order of this Court dated 07.05.2026 in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2701 of 2026) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the Respondent Nos.1 to 3 to 1/6

grant permission for conducting the temple festival namely Kodai Vizha in Arulmigu Sri Petchiamman Temple, Sri Madathu Sudalaimadasamy Temple and Sri Mundasamy Temple to be held on 25.05.2026 and 26.05.2026 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 29.04.2026 within the time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.I.Pinaygash For Respondents : Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate for R1 to R3 Mr.C.Kannathasan for R4 and R5 Mr.B.Ramanathan, Additional Government Pleader for R6

ORDER

The present Writ Petition is filed for a Writ of Mandamus directing the Respondent Nos.1 to 3 to grant permission for conducting the temple festival namely Kodai Vizha in Arulmigu Sri Petchiamman Temple, Sri Madathu Sudalaimadasamy Temple and Sri Mundasamy Temple to be held on 25.05.2026 and 26.05.2026 by considering the petitioner's representation dated 29.04.2026.

2. Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad, learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) takes notice for R1 to R3 and Mr.C.Kannathasan, learned counsel takes notice for R4 and R5.

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3. By consent on either sides, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

4. It is brought to the knowledge of this Court that, in respect of the same temple, one Shanmugam, has filed a Writ Petition in W.P.Crl.(MD)No. 1682 of 2026, impleading the petitioner herein as fifth respondent, wherein, this Court vide order dated 26.03.2026, has passed the following order:-

6. Considering the fact and circumstances of this case, the sixth respondent is directed to conduct a peace committee between the petitioner's group and the 5th respondent's group on 07.05.2026 and pass appropriate orders facilitating the conduct of temple festival in the peaceful manner. The fifth respondent in the aforesaid Writ Petition has filed the present Writ Petition.

5. The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 submitted that enquiry is still pending before the Revenue Divisional Officer, Cheramahadevi, Tirunelveli District and Peace Committee Meeting is scheduled to be held today.

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6. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Cheramahadevi, Tirunelveli District is not a party before this Court. Hence, this Court suo motu impleads the Revenue Divisional Officer, Cheramahadevi, Tirunelveli District as sixth respondent in this Writ Petition. Mr.B.Ramanathan, learned Additional Government Pleader takes notice for the newly impleaded R6.

7. In the facts and circumstances of this case, the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) is directed to intimate the newly impleaded sixth respondent about the present case and the sixth respondent shall issue notice to the petitioner also while conducting enquiry and thereafter, pass appropriate orders.

8. At this juncture, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to allow everyone to participate in the temple festival.

9. In view of the same, all the participants of the temple festival shall pay the temple vari prior to the conduct of the festival. There shall be inclusiveness in the temple festival and there shall not be any discrimination among anyone in the festival.

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10. With the above directions and observations, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

07.05.2026 Speaking / Non-speaking order Index : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No mbi Note: Issue order copy on 08.05.2026 To

1. The Superintendent of Police, O/o. The Superintendent of Police, Tirunelveli District.

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, O/o. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nanguneri Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

3. The Inspector of Police, Moolakaraipatty Police Station, Tirunelveli District.

4.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Cheranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District.

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S.SRIMATHY, J.

mbi 07.05.2026 6/6