A.Ajaykumar v. The Superintendent Of Police,

2026:MHC:1770 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.05.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.10642 and 10643 of 2026 A.Ajaykumar ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Superintendent of Police, The Superintendent of Police Office, Madurai District.

2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, The Deputy Superintendent of Police Office, Samayanallur, Madurai District.

3.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endorsement Joint Commissioner Office, Madurai - 1.

4.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endorsement Assistant Commissioner Office, Madurai -1.

5.The Administrative Officer, Arulmigu Sri Janagaiperumal Temple, Chozhavanthan, Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai 625 214.

6.The Sub Inspector of Police, Chozhavanthan Police Station, Madurai District. 1/6

7.Sridhar

8. Periyasamy 9.Muthaiya 10.Rajesh ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondent No.4 and 5 herein to permit the petitioner herein to be present in the temple's car as part of his religious duty towards to the occasion of the Vaigasi Festival at Arulmigu Shozhavanthan Janagai Maariyamman Vaigasi Festival on 02.06.2026 by considering his representation dated 30.03.2026.

For Petitioner :Mr.K.R.Laxman For R1, R2 and R6:Mr.T.Senthil Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor For R3 and R4 :Mr.A.Baskaran Additional Government Pleader For R5 :Mr.S.Manohar For R7 to R10 :Mr.S.Manikandan *****

O R D E R

The Writ Petition is filed for a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 4 and 5 to permit the petitioner to be present in the temple car, as part of their religious duty towards the occasion of the Vaigasi Festival at Arulmigu Shozhavanthan Janagai Maariyamman Vaigasi Festival on 02.06.2026 by considering his representation dated 30.03.2026.

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2.Mr.K.R.Lakshman, learned Counsel for the petitioner would submit that from time immemorial, before the petitioner, his father and grandfather have been receiving the first honour and after receiving the first honour, he will climb up the car and they will be staying on top of car, while the car being pulled through the streets of the said village. However, suddenly the private respondents are now interfering and want honours for them also. Therefore, the petitioner has filed the present Writ Petition.

3.The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing on behalf the authorities would submit that Peace Committee meeting was conducted and in the meeting, except the petitioner, all the other persons, have agreed that they will take the honours on rotation basis. 4.The learned Counsel taking notice on behalf of the other private persons, who are arrayed as respondents 7 to 10, would submit that they are agreeable for rotational basis.

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5.During the course of the hearing, upon query by this Court as to why honour should be given to persons and except the Poojari, other persons need not be stayed on the car, all sides agreed that there will not be any individual honour and all of them will be treated as equal, during the festival and except Poojari, nobody will climb on top of the Car for this year. For the ensuing years, if any persons want to climb on top of the Car or want any honour, an application under Section 63 of the HR & CE Act shall be filed before the Joint Commissioner, HR & CE Department and the same will be decided by issuing notice to all the other concerned and thereafter, the parties will be governed by such order.

6.With the above observations, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

NCC :Yes / No 20.05.2026 cmr 4/6

To 1.The Superintendent of Police, The Superintendent of Police Office, Madurai District.

2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, The Deputy Superintendent of Police Office, Samayanallur, Madurai District.

3.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endorsement Joint Commissioner Office, Madurai - 1.

4.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endorsement Assistant Commissioner Office, Madurai -1.

5.The Administrative Officer, Arulmigu Sri Janagaiperumal Temple, Chozhavanthan, Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai 625 214.

6.The Sub Inspector of Police, Chozhavanthan Police Station, Madurai District. 5/6

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

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