S.Neelamegam v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 13.06.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI W.P.Crl.(MD)No.152 of 2025 and WP MP(MD) No.40 of 2025 S.Neelamegam ... Petitioner Vs 1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Office, Madurai District, Madurai.

3.The Tahsildar, Vadipatti Taluk Office, Vadipatti, Madurai District.

4.The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Madurai District, Madurai.

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5.The Inspector of Police, Alanganallur Police Station, Alanganallur, Madurai District.

6.V.Sangli Pandi

...Respondents

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 5 to conduct an enquiry based on the representation of the petitioner dated 05.06.2025 and take necessary action against the sixth respondent for excommunicating the petitioner, his family and his group members and also directing the respondents 1 to 5 to ensure the participation of the petitioner, his family members and group members in the ensuing Kodail festival being conducted from 13.06.2025 till 15.06.2025 (3 days) at Arulmigu Muthammal Temple, situated at Periya Ilanndaikulam Village, Vadipatti Taluk, Madurai District. For Petitioner : Mr.P. Mahendran, For R1 to R3 : Mr.F.Deepak Special Government Pleader For R4 & R5 : Mr.Antony Sahaya Prabhakar Additional Public Prosecutor 2/7

O R D E R

The petitioner, with a grievance that the sixth respondent is not permitting this petitioner to enter into Arulmigu Muthammal Temple, situated at Periya Ilanndaikulam Village, Vadipatti Taluk to offer his prayers, has filed this writ petition that he has been ex-communicated by the sixth respondent and his group. 2.Mr.F.Deepak, learned Special Government Pleader takes notice for the respondents 1 to 3. Mr.Antony Sahaya Prabhakar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor takes notice for the respondents 4 & 5 and submits that this petitioner has constructed another temple and therefore, the sixth respondent group is having objections for performing Samiyadi during the festival. With regard to entering into the temple and offering prayers, the sixth respondent and his group is not having any objections. According to the learned Government Advocate, the festival itself has been dropped, in view of the objections raised by this petitioner.

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3.The learned counsel for the petitioner has denied the same and submits that the festival is being conducted and even yesterday, there was a festival. The learned counsel further submits that the petitioner is not claiming any right to perform Samiyadi and he wants permission to enter into the temple and to have dharshan. He further submits that with regard to the right of performing Samiyadi, the issue is pending before the Civil Court.

4.This Court considered the rival submissions made and also perused the materials placed on record.

5.The grievance of the petitioner is that he was restricted to enter into the temple to offer prayers. It appears that there is a dispute between the petitioner and the sixth respondent with regard to performing Samiyadi. The learned counsel for the petitioner restricts his relief for offering prayers in the temple alone. It is also reported that the temple is a public temple.

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6.In view of the above, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondent police to ensure that this petitioner is permitted to offer his prayer during the temple festival, without any hindrance. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous petition is closed.

13.06.2025 Index:Yes Internet:Yes vrn 5/7

To 1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Madurai District, Madurai.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Office of the Revenue Divisional Office, Madurai District, Madurai.

3.The Tahsildar, Vadipatti Taluk Office, Vadipatti, Madurai District.

4.The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Madurai District, Madurai.

5.The Inspector of Police, Alanganallur Police Station, Alanganallur, Madurai District.

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B.PUGALENDHI, J.

vrn Order made in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.152 of 2025 and WP MP(MD) No.40 of 2025 13.06.2025 7/7