P. Thangavelu v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 23.07.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI P.Thangavelu ... Petitioner versus 1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram District.

3.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Thiruvadanai Taluk, Ramanathapuram District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Thiruvadanai Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

5.Mathivanan 6.Palanikumar 7.Shanmugam 8.Muthuvel ... Respondents 1/5

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the constitution of India, seeking for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 to 4 to take action against the private Respondents who refused to collect tax from petitioner and further excommunication petitioner from worship in the temple and provide adequate police protection to participate in the temple festival of Arulmigu Shri Muthumariyamman temple scheduled to be held from 22.07.2025 to 29.07.2025 and ensure the petitioner's right of worshipping of Arulmighu Shri Muthmariyamman temple situated at Keelakottai Chettiyendhal village, Thiruvadanai Taluk, Ramanathapuram district on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 17.07.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Sivabalan For Respondents : Mr.F.Deepak, Nos.1 to 3 Additional Public Prosecutor, : Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabahar, Additional Public Prosecutor for R4 : Mr.R.Manickam for R5 to R8

ORDER

The petitioner has approached this Court that the private respondents are not permitting the petitioner to participate in the temple festival and not collecting tax from him. 2/5

2.The learned counsel for the private respondents submits that they are not discriminating any one and not preventing anyone from participating in the festival. He further submits that the temple is administered by the trust and they are not collecting tax and donation for the temple administration. It is open to the petitioner to provide donation for festival. According to him, the petitioner has also contributed Rs.500/- for festival.

3.The learned Special Government Pleader also submits there is no collection of tax and donation for temple administration. It is only for the temple festival they are collecting donation. 4.Recording the submission of the learned counsel for the private respondents that they are not discriminating anyone and not preventing anyone from participating in the temple festival, this petition is closed, with a direction to the respondents 5 to 8 to ensure that the festival is conducted in a peaceful manner by providing equal participation to 3/5

everyone and also by accepting the donation if any offered by the petitioner, for the festival.

23.07.2025 DSK Internet : Yes To 1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram District.

3.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Thiruvadanai Taluk, Ramanathapuram District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Thiruvadanai Police Station, Ramanathapuram District.

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

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B.PUGALENDHI, J.

DSK 23.07.2025 5/5