Madras High CourtWP Crl.(MD)/3167/2026disposed of

P.Arumugam v. The Superintendent Of Police

2026-06-17Honourable Mrs Justice L.Victoria Gowri6 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 17/06/2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI P.Arumugam ... Petitioner Vs

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

2. The Inspector of Police, Perungudi Police Station, Madurai District.

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thirumangalam.

(R3 suo motu impleaded vide Court order dated 17.06.2026) ... Respondents PRAYER :- To direct the second respondent, to grant permission to conduct Kummi Adi event in front of Arulmigu Sri Batra Kaliyamman Temple situated at Dr.Ambedar Nagar, Perungudi from 16.06.2026 to 25.06.2026 between 9 pm to 11 pm and consequently to permit the petitioner to conduct cultural events from 23.06.2026 to 25.06.2026 between 9 pm to 1/6

11 pm based on the petitioner's representation dated 03.06.2026, within the time frame fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Ms.A.Tamilarasi Advocate.

For Respondents : M/s.M.R.Priyanka Jothi Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

This Writ Petition is filed seeking to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the second respondent, to grant permission to conduct Kummi Adi event in front of Arulmigu Sri Batra Kaliyamman Temple situated at Dr.Ambedar Nagar, Perungudi from 16.06.2026 to 25.06.2026 between 9 pm to 11 pm and consequently to permit the petitioner to conduct cultural events from 23.06.2026 to 25.06.2026 between 9 pm to 11 pm based on the petitioner's representation dated 03.06.2026, within the time frame fixed by this Court.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has given a representation to the respondent police seeking permission to conduct Kummi Adi from 16.06.2026 to 25.06.2026 2/6

between 9 pm to 11 pm and to conduct cultural events from 23.06.2026 to 25.06.2026 between 9 pm to 11 pm. However, the petitioners representation is not considered so far and hence this petition.

3. The learned Government advocate, on instruction submitted that a peace committee meeting was convened by the Revenue Divisional Officer on 16.06.2026(yesterday) and the same is likely to continue even on 18.06.2026 (tomorrow). He also drew the attention of this Court to the fact that earlier, during the year 2024, three first information reports in Crime Nos.135, 141 and 142 of 2024, were registered, during the temple festival of the same temple, due to certain indifferences between two groups of people. Hence, the respondent police anticipates law and order problem even this year.

4. Per contra, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that as stated by the learned Government Advocate, no groupism prevail in the temple. An administrative committee has been elected among the members of the village, namely Ambedkar Nagar. They have convened a meeting and a proper resolution is passed, to peacefully conduct the 3/6

temple festival. Despite the same, the respondent police has forwarded the matter to the Revenue Divisional Officer, Thirumangalam to conduct peace committee meeting. However, no peace committee meeting was actually conducted as claimed by the learned Government Advocate.

5. Heard either sides and carefully perused the materials available on record.

6. In view of the above submission made by either sides, the Revenue Divisional Officer, Thirumangalam, is suo motu implemented as third respondent. Registry is directed to carry out necessary amendment in the cause title.

7. The third respondent is directed to convene a peace committee meeting on 18.06.2026 and conclude the same on the same day and facilitate the petitioner in conducting the temple festival in terms of the resolution passed on 09.06.2026 by the temple committee from 23.06.2026 to 30.06.2026. It is made clear that none of the programs which would be organized by the temple committee would proceed 4/6

beyond 10:00 pm. The respondent police is directed to provide proper permission for the purpose of installing sound system. However, it is made clear that no loudspeakers are permitted.

8. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. 17.06.2026 NCC : yes / no Index : yes / no Note : Issue order copy on 17.06.2026 pnn To

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

2. The Inspector of Police, Perungudi Police Station, Madurai District.

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thirumangalam.

4. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

5/6

L. VICTORIA GOWRI, J pnn

ORDER

IN WP CRL.(MD) No.3167 of 2026 Date : 17/06/2026 6/6