Pr.Piraman v. The Joint Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 03.07.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN W.P(MD) No.18178 of 2025 and W.M.P(MD) No.13933 of 2025 PR.Piraman ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Joint Commissioner, HR and CE, Sivagangai.

2.The Assistant Commissioner, HR and CE, Sivagangai.

3.The Sivagangai Samasthaanam, through its Manager, Sivagangai.

4.Al.Venkatachalam Chettiar, Arulmighu Soundaranayagi Ambal Sametha Kailasanatha Swamy, Thirukovil, Kanadukaathan - Nemathanpatti Village, Sivagangai District.

5.Pathinaaru Oor Palaya Naattar, Through Their Naattu Servai Thiru Rm.Thiruvudayan Servai Pallathur Village Sivagangai District.

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6.Kanadukaathaan Nattar, Through Their Trustee C.Lakshmanan Son of Chockalingam Kanadukaathaan Village, Sivagangai District.

...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 3 herein to ensure that the religious practice and performance of Mandahapadi and conferring of honours and privileges on the 6th day festival of Arulmighu Soundaranayagi Ambal Sametha Kailasanatha Swamy Thirukovil, Kanadukaathan - Nemathanpatti village, Sivagangai District, also called as Kanaadukaathan Periya Kovil, is scrupulously followed and without any deviation by conferring such honour or privilege on any one exclusively or otherwise.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.R.Shanmuganathan For R1 & R2 : Mr.SS.Madhavan Additional Government Pleader For R3 : Mr.S.Manohar Standing Counsel 2/6

ORDER

This Writ Petition is disposed of at the time of admission after hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the respondent Nos.1 and 2 and the learned counsel for the respondent No.3.

2. The petitioner is before this Court apprehending that the respondents may not confer the honours to the members of Nemathanpatti Naattars, Sivagangai in a temple festival, which started on 28.06.2025. It is submitted that the subject temple namely Arulmighu Soundaranayagi Ambal Sametha Kailasanatha Swamy Thirukovil, is located between Nemathanpatti village and Kaanadukathan village, Sivagangai District.

3. It is submitted that the respondent Nos.3 to 6 have also collected necessary fees for 6th day Mandagapadi for the festival to be held today in the evening 6.00 p.m. Further, in the invitation clearly it is stated that 6th day of Mandagapadi may be conferred by Nattaars of Kaanadukathan village. However, upon representation, they have reverted to the past practice, without making any reference to the village.

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4. It is submitted that since the amount has been collected from both villagers, it is quite possible that the rights may be conferred solely on the fourth respondent, to the exclusion of the fifth respondent.

5. The learned counsel for the third respondent clearly submits that normally decisions has to be taken by the fifth respondent, who is the head for all the sixteen villagers.

6. Since the temple festival is to be held today at 6.00 p.m., this Writ Petition is disposed of after recording necessary instructions received and after hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the respondent No.1 and 2 and the learned counsel for the respondent No.3 and in the presence of Superintendent of third respondent. It is informed that if the first honours conferred to one of the village, it could possibly lead to law and order problem. Therefore, it is suggested that the Naattaars of Nemathanpatti village and Kaanadukathan village will be given equal rights.

7. The learned counsel for the petitioner would fairly concedes that first honours can be conferred to Naattaars of Kaanadukathan village. 4/6

8. Recording the submission of learned counsel for the petitioner, the first honour shall be conferred to the Naattaars of Kaanadukathan village. Further, this order is applicable only for 6th day Madagapadi of festival, which is to be held today at 6.00 p.m. For ensuing the temple festival, the fifth respondent shall nominate the persons and intimate the same to the third respondent. So that, there is no scope confusion in the last minute. The respondent Nos.1 to 3 are at liberty to take assistance of the Police to ensure that no untoward incident occurs during the temple festival.

9. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. No costs. 03.07.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Indu 5/6

C.SARAVANAN, J.

Indu To 1.The Joint Commissioner, HR and CE, Sivagangai.

2.The Assistant Commissioner, HR and CE, Sivagangai.

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