M.Sanmugasundaram v. The District Collector,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 03.03.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI W.P.Crl.(MD)No.111 of 2025 M.Sanmugasundaram ... Petitioner Vs.
1. The District Collector, The Collector Officer, Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar District.
2. The Superintendent of Police, The Collectorate Campus, Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar District.
3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Aruppukkottai, Virudhunagar District.
4. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Thiruchulli, Virudhunagar District.
5. The Tahsildhar, Taluk Office, Thiruchulli, Virudhunagar District.
6. The Inspector of Police, Narikudi Police Station, Virudhunagar District.
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7. Thavamani
8. Rajendran
9. Malairasu
10. Sakkaiya ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd, 4th and 6th respondents to accord permission and to provide adequate police protection to the petitioner and his villagers to celebrate the consecration festival on 07.07.2025 to Arulmigu Angalaeshwari Amman Temple, Arulmigu Sri Samaya Karuppana Swamy Temple, Sri Murugan Temple and Ganesha Temple situated at Puthenenthal Village, T.Velankudi Post, Thiruchulli Taluk, Virudhunagar District.
For Petitioner : Mr.R.Murugan For Respondents : Mr.S.Ravi (R2, R4 & R6) Additional Public Prosecutor Mr.C.Satheesh (R1, R3 & R5) Government Advocate (Civil) Mr.A.C.Asai Thambi (R7 to R10)
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the 2nd, 4th and 6th respondents to accord permission and to provide adequate police protection to the petitioner and his villagers to celebrate the consecration festival on 2/8
07.07.2025 to Arulmigu Angalaeshwari Amman Temple, Arulmigu Sri Samaya Karuppana Swamy Temple, Sri Murugan Temple and Ganesha Temple situated at Puthenenthal Village, T.Velankudi Post, Thiruchulli Taluk, Virudhunagar District.
2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that only 15 families are living in the petitioner's village namely Puthanenthal Village and all the persons living therein belong to the same community. The entire villagers had together contributed funds for the construction of Arulmigu Angalaeshwari Amman Temple and also to renovate the existing Arulmigu Sri Samaya Karuppana Swamy Temple, Sri Murugan Temple and Ganesha Temple situated at Puthenenthal Village, T.Velankudi Post, Thiruchulli Taluk, Virudhunagar District. The construction as well as the renovation works have been completed. Upon completion of the same, it was unanimously decided to celebrate the consecration festival (Kumbabishegam) of all the aforesaid temples on 07.07.2025. In this regard, a representation dated 15.05.2025 was submitted to the official respondents through registered post with acknowledgement due, and the same was also submitted in person on the very same day.
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3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners further submitted that another application was submitted to the official respondents seeking permission and requesting adequate police protection for conducting the temple festival proposed to be held on 07.07.2025. However, no such permission was granted. In the meanwhile, the private respondents claimed first respect and honours at the time of the consecration ceremony, which proposal was rejected. Apprehending disharmony and disturbance from the private respondents, the petitioners sought police protection for conducting the consecration ceremony, which was proposed to be held on 07.07.2025. However, since the said representation has not been considered so far, the consecration ceremony could not be conducted.
4. When the matter came up for hearing on earlier occasion, this Court wondered as to how the petitioner managed to build a temple in a poramboke land without proper permission and had sought a report of the District Collector, Virudhunagar.
5. Today, the report of the first respondent dated 01.07.2025 vide proceedings in Na.Ka.C1-1/1/2025 has been produced before this Court, 4/8
wherein, it is seen that this is not a new temple. Arulmigu Sri Samaya Karuppana Swamy Temple is the main temple, and all other deities are subdeities, including a newly constructed sub-deity, Arulmigu Angalaeshwari Amman Temple. The temple has been continuously functioning for the past 50 years, and the consecration ceremony (Kumbabishegam) is traditionally conducted once in twelve years. In accordance with this regular religious custom, the present renovation works were carried out upon the completion of twelve years from the earlier renovation. In the meanwhile, in accordance with a resolution of the village committee, the temple committee members constructed a small sub-temple for Arulmigu Angalaeshwari Amman within the same campus. The village is small, consisting of fewer than 15 families, all belonging to the same community.
6. The learned counsel appearing for the private respondents submitted that no disturbance or problem were created by the private respondents in this regard.
7. It is made clear that none of the villagers shall claim any first honors in the temple festival. All the villagers can equally participate with equal rights. All the villagers including the private respondents herein are directed to 5/8
participate in the function if any to be organized by the temple committee. The petitioner is also directed not to discriminate any person from excommunicating in participating in the proposed consecration ceremony of the aforesaid temple.. The 1st, 3rd and 5th respondents are directed to accord necessary permission for conduct of consecration ceremony of the aforesaid temple and the 2nd, 4th and 6th respondents are directed to give necessary police protection for the same, on payment of necessary charges by the temple committee in terms of GO.Ms.No. 139, Home (Pol-VIII) Department, dated 04.03.2019.
8. The petitioner shall submit a fresh representation to all the official respondents seeking for the aforesaid relief. On receipt of the said representation, the respondents are directed to pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of twenty days from the date of receipt of the representation. In terms of the order to be passed by the official respondents, all the villagers, including the petitioners and the private respondents herein, are directed to celebrate the consecration ceremony of the aforesaid temple amicably and harmoniously, in coordination with the temple committee.
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9. With the above direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.
03.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Sm TO:-
1. The District Collector, The Collector Officer, Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar District.
2. The Superintendent of Police, The Collectorate Campus, Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar District.
3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Aruppukkottai, Virudhunagar District.
4. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Thiruchulli, Virudhunagar District.
5. The Tahsildhar, Taluk Office, Thiruchulli, Virudhunagar District.
6. The Inspector of Police, Narikudi Police Station, Virudhunagar District.
7. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.
Sm Order made in Dated 03.03.2026 8/8