M.Lenin v. The District Collector,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 08.07.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY

1. M.Lenin

2. S.Pookuntran Ganesh

3. N.Rajagopal ... Petitioners Vs

1. The District Collector, Collectorate, Sivagangai.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Collectorate, Sivagangai.

3. The Tahsildar, Ilayangudi Taluk, Sivagangai.

4. Jeyachandran

5. Gurusekaran

6. Bose

7. The Inspector of Police, Illayangudi Taluk, Sivagangai.

... Respondents (R-7 suo motu impleaded vide court order dated 08.07.2025 in W.P.(MD)NO.18480 of 2025) 1/5

PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 3 to consider the petitioners' representation dated 30.05.2025 and to permit the common villagers of Varunthi in Salaigram Sub Division in Illayangudi Taluk in Sivagangai District, to celebrate the annual function to worship the village deity Sri Sakthi Mariamman as usual in every Tamil Purtasi month without giving importance to private individuals.

For Petitioners : Mr.M.Gurudas Singh For R-1 to R-3 : Mr.M.Lingadurai Special Government Pleader For R-7 : Mrs.Aasha Government Advocate (Crl. side)

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 3 to consider the petitioners' representation dated 30.05.2025 and to permit the common villagers of Varunthi, Salaigram Sub Division, Illayangudi Taluk, Sivagangai District, to celebrate the annual festival to worship the village deity, Sri Sakthi Mariamman, as usual in every Tamil Purtasi month, without giving importance to private individuals. 2/5

2. The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that there is a dispute between the respondents 4 to 6, and by citing the dispute among themselves, respondents 4 to 6 are not willing to conduct the festival.

3. The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 submitted admitted, there is a dispute between two groups and a suit is pending for framing a scheme regarding the peaceful conduct of the festival. Last year, when there was an attempt to conduct the festival, the function was about to be stopped because there was a dispute regarding the 'Muthal Mariyathai'. Finally after a Peace Committee Meeting, the respondents 4 to 6 were allowed to conduct the festival along with the villagers, without 'Muthal Mariyathai'.

4. In view of the above, this Court suo motu impleads the Inspector of Police Ilayankudi Police Station, Sivagangai, as the seventh respondent in this petition. The newly impleaded seventh respondent is directed to conduct an enquiry after issuing notice to the petitioners and respondents 4 to 6 and thereafter, pass appropriate orders to provide necessary police protection for conducting the festival without 'Muthal Mariyathai' to any individual or group. The petitioners and the respondents 4 to 6 shall cooperate to conduct the festival peacefully without 'Muthal Mariyathai'. Since the interest of respondents 4 to 6 is 3/5

protected, notice to them is dispensed with.

5. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

08.07.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes jbr To:

1. The District Collector, Collectorate, Sivagangai.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Collectorate, Sivagangai.

3. The Tahsildar, Ilayangudi Taluk, Sivagangai.

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S.SRIMATHY , J.

jbr ORDER MADE IN DATED : 08.07.2025 5/5