Lingam St v. The District Collector
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 18.07.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY S.T.Lingam, General Secretary of Administrative Committee, Arulmigu Sri Pathirakali Amman Thirukoil, Vairavikinaru, Kudankulam Post, Radhapuram Taluk, Tirunelveli District.
... Petitioner Vs.
1. The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli.
2. The Deputy Collector, Cheranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District.
3. The Tahsildar, Radhapuram Taluk, Tirunelveli District.
4. E.Satheeshkumar
5. S.Pasupathi
6. T.Murugamuthu
7. P.Tamilarasi
...Respondents
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 permit the villagers to celebrate the Arulmigu Sri Pathirakali Amman Thirukoil 1/4
Festival on 28.07.2025, 29.07.2025 and 30.07.2025 without animal sacrifice by following the rituals by considering the representation, dated 12.07.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.V.Panneer Selvam For R1 to R3 : Mr.K.S.Selva Ganesan Additional Government Pleader *****
ORDER
The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 3 to permit the villagers to celebrate the Arulmigu Sri Pathirakali Amman Thirukoil Festival on 28.07.2025, 29.07.2025 and 30.07.2025 without animal sacrifice by following the rituals by considering the representation, dated 12.07.2025.
2.It is seen that there are two rival groups. The petitioner belongs to one group and the respondents 4 to 7 belong to another group. 3.The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 3 submitted that the rival group to which the respondents 4 to 7 belong has already celebrated the festival along with animal sacrifice from 14.07.2025 to 16.07.2025. Now, the petitioner is seeking to celebrate the festival without animal sacrifice.
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4.The learner Additional Government Pleader appearing for respondents 1 to 3 also submitted that there is no impediment to the petitioner's group to conduct the festival without animal sacrifice. 5.Recording the said submission, the petitioner is permitted to conduct the festival without animal sacrifice. However, if the petitioner is seeking any police protection by submitting an application, the same may be considered as per law.
6.With the above observations, this Writ Petition is allowed. There shall be no order as to costs.
18.07.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes Tmg Note: Issue order copy on 23.07.2025.
To:
1. The District Collector, Tirunelveli District, Tirunelveli.
2. The Deputy Collector, Cheranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District.
3. The Tahsildar, Radhapuram Taluk, Tirunelveli District.
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S.SRIMATHY , J.
Tmg ORDER MADE IN DATED : 18.07.2025 4/4