P.Murali v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.08.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI P.Murali ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, Dindigul, Dindigul District.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Dindigul, Dindigul District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Ambathurai Police Station, Dindigul District.

4.M.A.Palanisami 5.K.Vengatraman ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the constitution of India, seeking for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the first respondent to take appropriate action to collect temple tax from the petitioner's family and permit to participate in Sri Kali Amman Temple festival in Jathigoundanpatti, Athoor 1/5

Taluk, Dindigul District and ensure the right of worshipping based on his complaint bearing acknowledgment number TN/HOMEEXC/ DGL / P/ COLLMGDP / 07JUL/ 2025/12134663 dated 07.07.2025 within the stipulated time fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Viji For R3 : Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabahar, Additional Public Prosecutor.

For R1 & R2 : Mr.F.Deepak, Special Government Pleader.

For R4 & R5 : M/s. S.Vijayashanthi

ORDER

The petitioner has approached this Court with a grievance that the villagers have not received temple tax from him and have not permitted him to participate in the temple festival and also he has been discriminated. 2/5

2.The learned counsel appearing for the respondents 4 & 5 submits that there is no question of discrimination in the village and the villagers are not collecting any tax for celebrating temple festival. Since there is no practice of collecting tax from anybody in the village, the persons, who are willing to offer anything to the temple, can offer the same by way of donation.

3.The above said submission has also confirmed by the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1 & 2.

4.In view of the above, this Court directs the petitioner to offer his donation, if any, to the temple festival. The private respondents are expected to receive the same and allow the petitioner to participate in the temple festival. The official respondents shall ensure the 3/5

participation of the petitioner during temple festival through the concerned Village Administrative Officer. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 29.08.2025 gns To 1.The District Collector, Dindigul, Dindigul District.

2.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Dindigul, Dindigul District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Ambathurai Police Station, Dindigul District.

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

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B.PUGALENDHI, J.

gns 29.08.2025 5/5