Madras High CourtWP Crl.(MD)/2693/2025disposed of

V. Mokkaiya v. The District Collector, Pudukkottai District,

2025-12-18Honourable Mrs Justice S.Srimathy5 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 18.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY W.P.Crl.(MD) No.2693 of 2025 and W.M.P(MD) No.639 of 2025 V.Mokkaiya Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

2.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

3.State of Tamilnadu Rep by The Inspector of Police, Namanasamuthiram Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

4.Karuppaiah 5.Arasappan 6.Andiyappan 7.Pandi 8.Alagappan 9.Muthu 10.Arasappan

11.Subramanian 12.Arasappan 13.Bagavathi 14.Satheesh Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s): Mr.S.Alagusundar For Respondent(s): Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad Government Advocate (Crl.side) for R3 Mr.M.Muthumanikkam Government Advocate for R1 and R2 Prayer:

This petition is filed for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents No.1 to 3 herein to take action against the respondents No.4 to 14 for Ex-communicating petitioner and his family members from exercising their religious right of Worship and consequently permit the petitioner and his family members to perform their religious duties by participating in the religious ceremonies and accept their contribution (Thalaikattu Vari) in so far as the petitioner and his family members are concerned.

ORDER

This petition has been filed seeking a direction to respondents Nos.1 to 3 to take action against respondents Nos.4 to 14 for allegedly excommunicating the petitioner and his family members from exercising their religious right of worship and for refusing to accept their contribution (Thalaikattu Vari).

2. The learned Government Advocate would submit that the Tahsildar conducted a Peace Committee Meeting, in which the petitioner was shown as the B-party and respondents 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 were shown as the A-party. After conducting the Peace Committee Meeting, it was resolved that the petitioner shall not be excommunicated and that the temple tax as well as donations shall be collected from him. It was further resolved that without the petitioner's contribution, the temple festival cannot be conducted, and that if the tax and donation are not collected from the petitioner's family, the temple function shall not be celebrated.

3. The petitioner now claims that he should be permitted to enter the temple and offer worship. As per the Constitution, every person has the right to worship in a temple. Therefore, the private respondents shall not restrict the petitioner from entering the temple or from offering worship. Further, the resolution passed in the Peace Committee Meeting shall be implemented in letter and spirit.

4. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. No costs. 18.12.2025 Indu To

1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai District, Pudukkottai.

2.The Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Namanasamuthiram Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

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

S.SRIMATHY.J,

Indu WP Crl.(MD) No.2693 of 2025 18.12.2025