Balasubramani.A v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :14.09.2023

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE D.NAGARJUN A.Balasubramani ... Petitioner Vs 1.The District Collector, Trichy District, Trichy.

2.The Inspector of Police, Vaiyampatty Police Station, Trichy District.

...Respondents

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the second respondent to consider the petitioner's representation, dated 08.09.2023 and give permission to conduct Vinayagar Chathurthi festival from 18.09.2023 to 20.09.2023 in front of Sri Palamman Temple in Maniyarampatti Village, Manaparai Taluk, Trichy District.

For Petitioner : Mr.Karthikeya Venkitachalapathy For R-1 to R-3 : Mr.B.Thanga Aravindh Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

O R D E R

This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking for a mandamus to the respondent Police to grant permission to conduct Vinayagar Chathurthi festival from 18.09.2023 to 20.09.2023 in front 1/4

of Sri Palamman Temple in Maniyarampatti Village, Manaparai Taluk, Trichy District, basing on the petitioner's representation, dated 08.09.2023.

2. It is submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that every year, the villagers have been installing the Vinayagar idol in front of Sri Palamman Temple in Maniyarampatti Village, Manaparai Taluk, Trichy District. and this year also, when permission is sought for, the respondent Police has not taken any action to grant permission to conduct the Vinayagar Chathurthi festival from 18.09.2023 to 20.09.2023. It is submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that earlier in respect of conducting of a temple festival, when a dispute arose, the petitioner approached this Court and a direction was given, accordingly, the Peace Committee Meeting was conducted, though it was decided that all the villagers shall participate in the temple festival jointly.

3. Learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) has submitted that on account of dispute arose between the petitioner and the rival group in respect of the installation of the Vinayagar idol at the same place, the permission is rejected. Learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) further submitted that the petitioner belongs to one Ramasamy group, whereas, the rival party belongs to one Navaneethakrishnan group. There are disputes between two groups in respect of Palamman Temple and both the parties have been 2/4

claiming to install Vinayagar idol in front of the Temple. Therefore, the representation is kept pending.

4. Considering the circumstances, since there are disputes among the various factions of the village in respect of conducting the Vinayagar Chathurthi festival from 18.09.2023 to 20.09.2023, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Manapparai, is hereby directed to conduct the meeting of all the factions of the village and bring about consensus by convincing them to install single idol in front of the Vinayagar Temple.

5. With this observation, the Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

14.09.2023 NCC:yes/no Index:yes/no Internet:yes/no tsg Note : Issue Order Copy by 15.09.2023 3/4

DR.D.NAGARJUN, J.

tsg To 1.The District Collector, Trichy District, Trichy.

2.The Inspector of Police, Vaiyampatty Police Station, Trichy District.

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

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