Varatharajan v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 09.09.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN W.P.Crl.(MD).No.1299 of 2025 Varatharajan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, District Collector Office, 2.The Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police Office, 3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Devakottai, 4.The Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, Devakottai, 5.The Inspector of Police, Taluk Police Station, Devakottai,

...Respondents

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Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd and 4th respondents herein to grant necessary protection and to permit the petitioner to conduct worship and to perform Aavani Pongal worship every year at Sakthi Mariamman Temple situated at Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai District based on the petitioner's representation dated 02.09.2025. For Petitioner : M/s.A.Banumathy For R-1, R-3 & R-4: Mr.D.S.Nedunchezhian Government Advocate For R-2 & R-5 : Mr.R.M.Anbunithi Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

The Writ Petition is filed for Mandamus to direct the respondents 2 and 4 to grant necessary protection and permit the petitioner to perform Aavani Pongal worship at Sakthi Mariamman Temple situated at Devakottai Taluk,

2. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor, on instructions, would submit that there are disputes between the petitioner and other villagers and the petitioner alone cannot be given exclusive permission for worshipping. He would however submit that the respondents attempted to settle the dispute 2/5

between the petitioner and the other villagers and both were advised to conduct the festival jointly on 09.09.2025 between 4.00 PM and 7.00 PM.

3. This Court is of the view that the police cannot interfere in such disputes. If the petitioner is aggrieved by any action of the rival parties, which affects his rights, it is for him to approach the Civil Court. However, if the petitioner and the other villagers, who are not impleaded here, jointly conduct the "Aavani Pongal worship" between 4.00 PM and 7.00 PM on 09.09.2025, as suggested by the respondents herein, the respondents have no objection for the same.

4. Recording the aforesaid fact, the Writ Petition stands closed. There shall be no order as to costs.

09.09.2025 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No Lm 3/5

To 1.The District Collector, District Collector Office, 2.The Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police Office, 3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Devakottai, 4.The Tahsildar, Tahsildar Office, Devakottai, 5.The Inspector of Police, Taluk Police Station, Devakottai, 6.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

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SUNDER MOHAN, J.

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