S.Karthikeyan v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated: 19.06.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and W.M.P(MD)No.12428 of 2026 S.Karthikeyan ... Petitioner Vs.
1. The District Collector, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
2. Revenue Divisional Officer, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.
3. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Sivagangai.
4. The Manager, Sivagangai Samasthana Devasthanam, Sivagangai.
5. The Inspector of Police, Aaravayal Police Station, Aaravayal, Sivagangai District.
6. Regunathan.
... 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 permit the petitioner to participate in their festival by performing the western face second vadam of the temple car festival by receiving the first respect in the 4th day Mandagapadi on 23.06.2026 and the said Temple Car festival on 28.06.2026, attached with Sri Swarnamootheeswarar Periyanayagi amman temple, Kandadevi village, Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai District and pass such further or other orders as this Honble court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of this case and thus render justice. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Kaleeswaran For R1 to R3 : Mr.P.Rajagopalan Government Standing Counsel For R4 : Mr.S.Madhavan For R5 : Mr.I.Murugesan Government Advocate (Crl.Side) For R6 : Mr.A.N.Gopalan
ORDER
The writ petition is filed for a mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 5 to permit the petitioner to participate in the festival by performing the western phase second vadam of the temple car festival by receiving the first respect in the fourth day Mandagapadi on 23.06.2026 and the said Temple Car festival on 28.06.2026, attached with Sri Swarnamootheeswarar Periyanayagi amman temple, Kandadevi village, Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai District.
2. Upon hearing the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and upon perusing the materials available on record, it is seen that the grievance of the petitioner is that he is entitled to receive the aforesaid first honour individually. The petitioner has already filed a suit in O.S. No.108 of 2017, which is pending on the file of the learned Subordinate Court, Devakottai. Pending disposal of the said suit, the first honour is not being granted, and therefore, the petitioner has approached this Court.
3. The learned Government Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents 1 to 3 submitted that a decision has already been taken not to confer the first honour on any individual. The festival will be conducted in the usual manner, and every person, including the petitioner, may participate only as a devotee.
4. The learned counsel taking notice on behalf of the 4th respondent submitted that the petitioner is claiming a special right, and since the suit is pending, no interim order has been granted by the Civil Court in his favour.
5. The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the 6th respondent submitted that there exists a dispute between the petitioner and the 6th respondent regarding entitlement to the said honour. According to the 6th respondent, he is entitled to the same. The dispute arises out of family issues relating to the two marriages of the father of both the petitioner and the 6th respondent, namely, Periya Karuppan Ambalam.
6. I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the materials available on record.
7. If the petitioner claims entitlement to any special privilege, he ought to have obtained appropriate orders either from the Civil Court or by approaching the Joint Commissioner under Section 63 of the Act. In the absence of any such order, the general policy, which is in consonance with the Constitution of India, of not conferring any special first right or honour upon any individual, is being followed by the official respondents.
8. With the above observations and liberty, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
19.06.2026 rgm To
1. The District Collector, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.
2. Revenue Divisional Officer, Devakottai, Sivagangai District.
3. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Sivagangai.
4. The Manager, Sivagangai Samasthana Devasthanam, Sivagangai.
5. The Inspector of Police, Aaravayal Police Station, Aaravayal, Sivagangai District.
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY , J.
rgm and W.M.P(MD)No.12428 of 2026 19.06.2026