Vijayarajan v. The District Collector,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 12.08.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN Vijayarajan ... Petitioner -Vs1.The District Collector, Madurai, Madurai District.
2.The Superintendent of Police, Madurai, Madurai District.
3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Melur, Madurai District.
4.The Inspector of Police, Keelavalavu Police Station, Madurai District.
... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission and protection for conducting the double bullock cart race to be held on 16.08.2025 at Keelaiyur Village to E.Malanpatti via Thirupathur road, Melur Taluk, Madurai District 1/6
between 6.00 am to 9.00 am in connection with the "Krishna Jayanthi Festival" in Shri Krishnan Kovil, Keelaiyur Village, Keelaiyur Post, Melur Taluk, Madurai District by considering the petitioner's representation dated 06.08.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.B.Santhanam Rajesh Kumar For R1 : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar, Government Pleader For R2 to R4 : Mr.T.Senthil Kumar, Additional Public Prosecutor
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.) Inaction on the part of the Executive Authorities in exercising lawful powers is to be construed as a lapse or dereliction of duty. Any Executive Authorities of the Government are expected to perform their public duties diligently and take decisions on merits and in accordance with law. They cannot force the aggrieved persons to approach the Court of law for securing reliefs, so that the authorities can take a shelter under the orders of the Court. 2.Such an attitude of the Executive Authorities at no circumstances be appreciated by the High Courts. The law requires the authorities to exercise their 2/6
powers diligently. While so, any lapses, dereliction or negligence on the part of the authorities in dealing with the issues on merits must be viewed seriously. 3.The Court is floated with such Writ Petitions, wherein the authorities are failing in their power to take a decision within the time and considering the urgency involved in such petitions. This resulted in filing of unnecessary Writ Petitions before the High Courts even for seeking permission to conduct festival or sport in a village.
4.The learned Government Pleader appearing for the 1st respondent would submit that the decision is yet to be taken. However, this Court is witnessing that many such Writ Petitions are filed even after delay of ten days and decisions are either taken belatedly or taken within the time limit, which is resulting in the event became over. The grievances of the citizens are to be redressed within the reasonable period of time and considering the urgency involved in the applications. The urgent nature of application is to be sorted out by the Office of the District Collector concerned and decisions are to be taken in a swift manner. Since the administrative decisions are not taken within the reasonable period of time, the citizens / aggrieved persons are forced to approach the Court of law even for conducting a sport event in the festival in a village. 3/6
5.In view of the facts and circumstances of the case, today (12.08.2025) at 10.50 am., we direct the District Collector to take a decision on the application submitted by the petitioner and inform this Court. 6.However, during the course of hearing of other cases, the learned Government Pleader for the 1st respondent made a mentioning at 11.30 am., and informed this Court that the 1st respondent has taken a decision today (12.08.2025) at 10.31 am., rejecting the application filed by the petitioner. 7.In view of the above, since the 1st respondent has already taken a decision and the direction issued by this Court has already been complied with, no further order is required to be passed in this petition. Thus, this Writ Petition stands dismissed. No costs.
(S.M.S., J.) & (G.A.M., J.) 12.08.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Yuva 4/6
To 1.The District Collector, Madurai, Madurai District.
2.The Superintendent of Police, Madurai, Madurai District.
3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Melur, Madurai District.
4.The Inspector of Police, Keelavalavu Police Station, Madurai District.
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S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.
AND G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.
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