Madras High CourtWP(MD)/18213/2026disposed of

Chandrabalan v. The District Collector

2026-06-30Honourable Mr Justice C.V. Karthikeyan,Honourable Mr.Justice R.Sakthivel8 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 30.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C.V.KARTHIKEYAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. SAKTHIVEL and WMP.(MD)No.13633 of 2026 Chandrabalan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.

3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Pattukkottai, Thanjavur District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Peravurani Police Station, Thanjavur District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Sethubavachatram Police Station, Thanjavur District.

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6.The Assistant Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Pattukottai, Thanjavur District.

7.The Assistant Director, Highways Department, Pattukkottai, Thanjavur District.

8.The Assistant Engineer, Highways Department, Peravurani, Thanjavur District.

... Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to strictly enforce the guidelines laid down in WP.(MD)No.2132, 2537 & 3449 of 2024 dated 16.02.2024 to completely prohibit the conduct of Bullock and Horse Cart races on National/State Highways, and to take stingent disciplinary and legal action against the erring officials and organizers violating the judicial directives of this Court by considering the petitioner's representation dated 11.06.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Mohamed Zamil, for Mr.C.Anand For R1, R6, R7 & R8 : Mr.S.I.Muthaiah, Counsel for State of TN.

For R2 to R5 : Mr.S.Arun Arockiasamy, Government Advocate (Crl.side) 2/8

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by C.V.Karthikeyan, J.) This writ petition has been filed in tha nature of Mandamus seeking a direction against the respondents to enforce the guidelines laid down in WP.(MD)No.2132, 2537 & 3449 of 2024 dated 16.02.2024 by the co-ordinate Division Bench of this Court. The petitioner has raised grivance that inspite of directions of the co-ordinate Division Bench of this Court in the aforesaid mentioned writ petitions relating to bullock cart race/horse race/ rekla race, the respondents had not been followed the guidelines.

2.More particularly, it is contended that the races pose a direct danger not only to the horses and bullocks themselves, but also to the participants, the spectators and onlookers, and more importantly, to the vehicles travelling on the National Highways. It is also contended that the respondents have shown no inclination to follow the guidelines laid down by a Coordinate Division Bench of this Court. In this connection, reference is made to the earlier decision in W.P.(MD) No.29471 of 2023, 3/8

rendered by a Coordinate Division Bench of this Court, of which one of us (R.S.V.,J.) was a member. In the said writ petition, the Division Bench was concerned with a request for grant of permission and police protection for conducting a double bullock cart race and horse race on 23.12.2023 as part of the Christmas festival of Annai Punitha Matha Aalayam, Athur Village, Peravurani Taluk, Thanjavur District. The proposed race was to be conducted from Aranthangi Road, Adanur to Merpanaikadu.

3.The Division Bench, in that case, took note of the report submitted by the fourth respondent therein, namely, the Inspector of Police, Peravurani Police Station, Thanjavur District, wherein, the fourth respondent had expressed serious apprehensions regarding the grant of permission for conducting such races and had specifically stated that, if permission were granted, the normal life/,ay;g[ thH;f;if of the local residents would be affected. In such circumstances, the Division Bench dismissed the writ petition, which had been filed in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation. It appears that the aforesaid order was not brought to the notice of the subsequent Coordinate Division Bench in W.P.(MD)No. 4/8

2132 of 2024 batch, wherein directions were issued permitting the conduct of such races.

4.It would, therefore, be appropriate for the authorities to consider both the orders of the Coordinate Division Bench simultaneously and in conjunction with each other. The authorities shall obtain necessary reports from the jurisdictional Station House Officer/Inspectors of Police of the concerned Police Stations and if any apprehension is expressed regarding danger to the public or disruption of normal public life, the authorities shall take a decision in accordance with the directions issued in W.P.(MD)No.29471 of 2023 and, where warranted, reject the request for permission. If permission is granted, the authorities shall ensure strict compliance with the directions issued by the Division Bench in W.P. (MD)No.2132 of 2024.

In addition to the conditions already imposed, the authorities may also obtain a bond from the individuals, who seek permission, that they will strictly adhere to the said conditions. It may also be noted that if there is any violation of the conditions, the bond could be enforced against those who sought permission, and necessary action could be initiated against the organizers in accordance with law.

5.This Court is deeply conscious of the fact that, more often than not, though permission is obtained and bonds are executed, such compliance remains only a formality and the conditions imposed are frequently violated. In such cases, apart from enforcing the terms of the bond, the Superintendent of Police of the concerned District shall also initiate an enquiry into the conduct of the Inspector of Police concerned, who recommended or granted permission and obtained the bond despite there being lack of bona fides on the part of the organisers, and take appropriate action in accordance with law.

6.With the above observations, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [C.V.K., J.] & [R.S.V., J.] gns 30.06.2026 6/8

To 1.The District Collector, Thanjavur District, Thanjavur.