M.Arasupandi v. The Commissioner Of Police
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 17.06.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI M.Arasupandi, Zonal Secretary, Hindu Munnani, Rajagopalan Illam, Hindu Munnani Office, Back to Amma Mandapam, Sadhasiva Nagar, Vandiyur, Madurai.
Petitioner(s) versus
1. The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City Police, Madurai - 2.
2. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Anna Nagar Circle, Anna Nagar, Madurai.
1/8
3. The Inspector of Police, Anna Nagar Police Station, Madurai.
Respondent(s) This petition is filed under Article 226 of the Consitution of India, to modify paragraphs 28 and 29 in the order dated 13.06.2025 passed in the above writ petition so as to enable the participants of 'Muruga Baktharkal Anmeega Maanadu' to get vehicle pass through online mode in the prevailing e-pass system established for coming to Madurai by uploading the required details.
For Petitioner(s):
Mr.G.Karthikeyan, Senior Counsel for Mr.H.Velavadhas For Respondent(s):
Mr.R.Baskaran, Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabahar, Additional Public Prosecutor 2/8
ORDER
The Zonal Secretary of Hindu Munnani has moved this petition seeking to modify the order of this Court passed in paragraphs 28 and 29, in W.P.(MD)No.185 of 2025, dated 13.06.2025.
2. This Court, while disposing of the writ petition filed by the petitioner, seeking permission to conduct Muruga Baktharkal Anmeega Maanadu on 22.06.2025, passed the following order in paragraphs 28 and 29:
"28. The learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner has raised serious objections with regard to condition No.7 that apart from the members of their organisation, common devotees may also attend the event and it would be difficult for the common devotees to approach the Deputy Superintendent of Police to apply and to obtain vehicle pass. This condition, according to the learned Additional Advocate General is only to organise the vehicles, which are supposed to take part in the event and also to prevent any vehicle procession.
3/8
29. The learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner submits that they are not having plan to conduct vehicle procession in any form. This Court is of the view that this condition has been imposed in order to regulate the vehicles which are likely to participate in the event. If any participants applies for the vehicle pass, the police officer concerned shall issue the vehicle pass within 24 hours of the application. There is no reason to interfere with the condition. In the event, if the police refuse to grant vehicle pass, it has to be rejected with valid reasons."
3. Now, the grievance of the petitioner is that it is difficult for the common devotees to get permission from the concerned Deputy Superintendent of Police and to obtain vehicle pass, as directed by this Court in Paragraphs 28 and 29. Therefore, the petitioner seeks modification of the earlier order to grant permission through e-pass mode, as followed in Dindigul and Nilgris District.
4. For the submissions made by the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner, the learned Additional Advocate General 4/8
submitted that the granting permission through e-pass is not feasible for this event, inasmuch as it requires certain preparatory arrangements and funds. According to him, on the directions of the Division Bench of this Court, the Government has passed G.O(D)No.44, Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, dated 17.02.2025, sanctioning a sum of Rs.29,40,193/-, for developing and maintaining a e-pass module. This module was developed for a specific purpose to assess the number of tourists visiting Kodaikanal and Nilgris during the summer season, so as to regulate the carrying capacity of these hill stations. Given the paucity of time, it is very difficult for the State to implement the same for this event organized by the petitioner.
5. Considering the objections made by the learned Additional Advocate General, the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner has made an alternative prayer for at least extending the time limit for applying for the permission.
6. This Court considered the rival submissions made. 5/8
7. The petitioner has expressed certain difficulties in getting permission on or before 18.06.2025 and therefore, he has filed this application seeking modification, so as to enable the participants to get permission through e-pass mode.
8. The entry of vehicles in Kodaikanal, Dindigul District and Ooty, Nilgris District are being assessed, pursuant to the orders of this Court to evaluate and regulate the carrying capacity of the hill stations during summer season. A reading of the Government Order in G.O.(D)No.44, Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department, dated 17.02.2025, shows that it requires certain preliminary arrangements and sanction of fund. Therefore, this Court is not inclined to accept the request of the petitioner to modify the condition by obtaining permission through e-pass mode. However, the Police shall receive the applications from the participants, seeking permission, till 21.06.2025 @ 10.00 am, instead of 18.06.2025.
6/8
Accordingly, this petition is partly allowed. 17.06.2025 ogy 7/8
B.PUGALENDHI, J.
ogy To
1. The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City Police, Madurai - 2.
2. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Anna Nagar Circle, Anna Nagar, Madurai.
3. The Inspector of Police, Anna Nagar Police Station, Madurai.
4. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
17.06.2025 8/8