M.Jeganathan v. The Superintendent Of Police,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.06.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI M.Jeganathan ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Superintendent of Police, O/o. Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District.

2. State of Tamil Nadu, Represented by the Inspector of Police, Vedasantur Police Station, Dindigul District.

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the 2nd respondent Na.Ka.No. 9/che.Mu.Aa/Ka.Aa/Ve.Va/2026 dated 16.06.2026 and quash the same as illegal consequently direct the 2nd Respondent to give adequate police protection to the Temple consecration ceremony to be held tomorrow (18.06.2026) to Sri Kaliamman and newly constructed Kanni Moolaganapathy situated at Malvarpatti Vilalge, Vedasantur Taluk, Dindigul District.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.C.Asaithambi For Respondents : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/6

ORDER

This petition has been filed challenging the order passed by the 2nd respondent in Na.Ka.No. 9/che.Mu.Aa/Ka.Aa/Ve.Va/2026 dated 16.06.2026 negating the petitioner to conduct consecration ceremony to be held tomorrow (18.06.2026) at Sri Kaliamman and newly constructed Kanni Moolaganapathy situated at Malvarpatti Village, Vedasantur Taluk, Dindigul District. The petitioner also seeks for a direction to the 2nd respondent to give adequate police protection for the same.

2. Heard the learned counsel on either side and carefully perused the materials before this Court.

3. On a perusal of the records, it is seen that the impugned order came to be passed in view of the pendency of Rev.Apl.WP.Crl.(MD) No.8 of 2026, which was filed seeking review of the order passed by this Court in WP.Crl. (MD) No.2540 of 2026, wherein this Court, by order dated 30.04.2026, had already directed the sixth respondent police and the fifth respondent Tahsildar therein to ensure the participation of the petitioner as well as all villagers and to 2/6

facilitate the collection/payment of temple tax in connection with the festival of Sree Mahakaliamman Temple situated at Malvarpatti, Vedasandur Taluk, Dindigul District, which is the subject temple.

4. It is further seen that one Mariyammal had filed WP.Crl.(MD) No. 2540 of 2026 and thereafter another writ petition in WP.Crl.(MD) No.3218 of 2026 seeking substantially the same relief. The latter writ petition came to be dismissed on the ground that the relief sought therein had already been considered and granted by this Court in WP.Crl.(MD) No.2540 of 2026.

5. In such circumstances, the authority was justified in taking note of the pendency of the review application and the earlier orders passed by this Court while issuing the impugned proceedings.

6. However, since the review application in Rev.Aplwp.Crl.(MD)No.8 of 2026 has already been dismissed by this Court, this Court hereby directs the respondent police to afford necessary permission and police protection for the petitioner to conduct the temple consecration ceremony on 18.06.2026 at Sri Kaliamman and newly constructed Kanni Moolaganapathy situated at Malvarpatti Village, Vedasantur Taluk, Dindigul District. It is made clear that 3/6

the petitioner shall collect the temple tax/contribution from all the villagers without any discrimination and ensure their participation in the temple festival. In the event of any deliberate exclusion of any villager from the collection of temple tax/contribution or participation in the festival, it is open to the respondent police to take appropriate action in accordance with law.

7. With the above directions, this writ petition stands disposed of. 17.06.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No sm Note: Issue order copy on 17.06.2026.

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TO:-

1. The Superintendent of Police, O/o. Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Vedasantur Police Station, Dindigul District.

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

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

Sm Order made in Dated 17.06.2026 6/6