Tamil Nadu Silambattam Association v. The Principal Secretary To Government

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 14.08.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SHAMIM AHMED W.P.(MD)No. 21456 of 2025 Tamil Nadu Silambattam Association, Represented by its, State Secretary - Legal Wing, M.Vijayaraj, 42/24, Rajan Street, Villapuram, Madurai - 625 012.

...Petitioner

Vs 1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Fort St., George, Chennai - 09.

2.Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Represented by its Member Secretary, Nehru Stadium, Raja Muthaiyah Road, Periyamedu, Chennai - 03.

3.The Member Secretary/General Manager (i/c), Sports Development Authority of Tamilnadu, Nehru Stadium, Raja Muthaiyah Road, Periyamedu, Chennai - 03.

...Respondents

1/7

Prayer:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents 1 to 3 to allow the petitioner's association to facilitate the art of Silambam in the upcoming State Level Chief Minister Trophy 2025 to be held across the State between August 2025 to October 2025, in the light of the orders in W.P.(MD)No.21796 of 2024, dated 12.09.2024 and W.P.(MD)No.23441 of 2024 dated 03.10.2024 and based on the representation dated 19.07.2025, within a time frame as stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Ramanathan For Respondents : Mr.K.S.Selvaganesan Additional Government Pleader (R-1) Ms.Thanvi Standing Counsel (R-2 & 3)

ORDER

1.

Heard Mr.S.Ramanathan, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner and Mr.K.S.Selvaganesan, learned Additional Government Pleader for the 1st Respondent and Ms.Thanvi, learned Standing Counsel for the Respondents 2 and 3.

2/7

2.

This Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents 1 to 3 to allow the petitioner's association to facilitate the art of Silambam in the upcoming State Level Chief Minister Trophy 2025 to be held across the State between August 2025 to October 2025, in the light of the orders in W.P.(MD)No.21796 of 2024, dated 12.09.2024 and W.P.(MD)No.23441 of 2024 dated 03.10.2024 and based on the representation dated 19.07.2025.

3.

Mr.S.Ramanathan, learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner, submits that the Petitioner has submitted representation dated 19.07.2025 in respect of his grievances and claim before the Respondents. The copy of the representation dated 19.07.2025 given to the Respondents is found at Page No.41 of the paper book. He further prays this Court that a positive direction may be given to the 2nd Respondent to decide the representation of the Petitioner dated 19.07.2025 on merits and in accordance with law. 3/7

4.

Mr.K.S.Selva Ganesan, learned Additional Government Pleader for the 1st Respondent submits that he has no objection to the prayer made by the learned counsel for the Petitioner. He further submits that since the Petitioner has submitted a representation on 19.07.2025 to the Respondents, this Court may issue a positive direction to the 2nd Respondent to consider and decide the representation dated 19.07.2025, on merits and in accordance with law within a specified time frame fixed by this Court.

5.

Ms.Thanvi, learned Standing Counsel for the Respondents 2 and 3 also concurred with the submissions made by the learned Additional Government Pleader for the 1st Respondent.

6.

After hearing the submissions made by the learned counsel for the parties and without going into merits of the case, this Court directs the 2nd Respondent to decide the Petitioner's representation dated 19.07.2025 and pass a reasoned and speaking order on merits, in accordance with law, within a period of four weeks from the date of 4/7

receipt of a certified copy of this order. The Petitioner is directed to serve a certified copy of this order along with the representation dated 19.07.2025 on the 2nd Respondent. The 2nd Respondent shall communicate the decision taken by him to the Petitioner through Registered Post with Acknowledgement Due (RPAD) within a period of two weeks from the date of passing the order/decision. 7.

With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

14.08.2025 Index:Yes/No Web:Yes/No Speaking/Non Speaking Nsr 5/7

To:

1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Fort St., George, Chennai - 09.

2.The Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Nehru Stadium, Raja Muthaiyah Road, Periyamedu, Chennai - 03.

3.The Member Secretary/General Manager (i/c), Sports Development Authority of Tamilnadu, Nehru Stadium, Raja Muthaiyah Road, Periyamedu, Chennai - 03.

6/7

SHAMIM AHMED , J.

Nsr 14.08.2025 7/7