Bharathi v. The Additional Director General of Police,

ORDER Seeking direction to the second respondent to register the FIR in the light of the order passed by the learned Magistrate, Thittakudi and also seeking transfer of the investigation to the first respondent, the present writ petition is filed by the petitioner.

2.The learned counsel on record for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has sent a complaint dated 15.02.2026 to the learned Judicial Magistrate, Thittakudi, stating that at about 11.00 a.m. on that day, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Inspector of Police, Ramanatham and the Executive Officer of the Hindu Religious and Endowment Department, Pennadam had come to the Samadhi temple and had placed a board, stating that if any offerings are made by devotees, the same shall be made only in the temple Hundial and the devotees shall approach the temple office and get the receipt for the donations and that no individual shall collect money in connection with the temple. The further allegation in the complaint is that the petitioner's sister's daughter was pushed down and was beaten and she sustained injury and hence, a case has to be registered against the erring officials. The learned counsel submitted that the Judicial Magistrate, Thittakudi has forwarded the complaint of the petitioner along with the covering letter to the Superintendent of Police to take appropriate action against the persons who have assaulted the petitioner's sister's daughter.

3.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor who takes notice for the official respondents submitted that earlier one Arumugam Chettiar claiming to be the hereditary trustee of Arulmigu Angalaparameswari Amman, Sri Perinayagi Amman Thirukoil, Ramanathan, had filed a writ petition in W.P.No.5615 of 2026 claiming that he is the hereditary trustee and Maha Sivarathri festival is celebrated in the temple and large number of public would gather and give their offerings and that certain individuals are taking upper hand during the festival to collect the amount and hence, he sought for appointment of a fit person. This court vide order dated 12.02.2026 directed that the executive officer shall be in-charge for the conduct of the Maha Sivarathri festival to be held from 15.02.2026 to 18.02.2026 and he shall take care of the celebration of the festival and shall also take care of all the facilities and the safety of the devotees. The executive officer shall take care of the temple and its properties including the hundial collections and shall also endeavour to generate a QR code from the temple's account and to keep the QR code in all prominent places in and around the temple with a proclamation that as far as possible, devotees shall pay online so that the entire amount without any pilferage goes directly to the temple account and it was also made clear in the order that even the hundial collections which are made physically shall also come only to the temple's account. Further, there was a direction to the Inspector of Police, Ramanatham police station that on request made by the Executive Officer, adequate police protection to the executive officer shall be provided.

4.It is the submission of the learned Additional Public Prosecution that following the aforesaid directions of this court, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, the Inspector of Police and the Executive Officer and the other police personnel were present during the temple festival. At that time, the Executive Officer had placed a public notice Board informing public as to how offerings are to be made and this was made following the orders of this court in W.P.No.5615 of 2026, but the same has been objected to and there was threat, abuse and assault and they were prevented from doing their duty. Hence, the Executive Officer had lodged a complaint and a case in Crime No.42 of 2026 against 10 persons came to be registered including the petitioner, who is A-6. In the above circumstances, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition.

5.This Court heard the submissions made by both sides. A perusal of the order of this court made in W.P.No.5615 of 2026, dated 12.02.2026 makes it clear that specific directions were issued to the Executive Officer of the temple as to how the temple festival is to be conducted and that the executive officer was directed to take all measures to conduct the festival in a peaceful manner and also to consider the safety of the devotees. Accordingly, as per the directions of this court, the executive officer has attempted to place the public board with the help of the police personnel on 15.02.2026. It is seen that the same was prevented by the petitioner and others and the officials were threatened and abused and there was disturbance for public peace. Therefore, a case came to be registered. In the light of the above, this court finds that the petitioner's complaint is nothing but a defence to the complaint given by the executive officer. In view of the above, this court is not inclined to grant the relief sought for by the petitioner. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed. No costs. 25-03-2026 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes vvk To

1.The Additional Director General of Police, For the Crime Branch CID (CB-CID) Head Quarters, Pantheon road, Egmore, Chennai-600 008.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Cuddalore District, Cuddalore.

3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. M.NIRMAL KUMAR J. vvk

25-03-2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 25-03-2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR Bharathi Petitioner Vs 1. The Additional Director General of Police, For the Crime Branch CID (CB-CID) Head Quarters, Pantheon road, Egmore, Chennai-600 008. 2.The Superintendent of Police, Cuddalore District, Cuddalore. 3.Parthipan Deputy Superintendent of Police, Thittagudi Sub Division, Cuddalore district. 4.Selva Vinayagam, Ramanatham Police Station, Cuddalore District. 5.Thamizhselvi Inspector, Arulmigu Piragaleswarar Temple, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, Pennadam, Thittagudi Taluk, Cuddalore District. Respondents PRAYER This writ petition is preferred under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking to issue a Writ or order or direction particularly in the nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS, to direct the 2nd respondent to register a FIR in the light of the Letter No.217/2026 dated 16.02.2026, order passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Thittagudi, Cuddalore District and transfer the same to 1st respondent CB-CID to investigate into the matter in accordance with law and pass such further order or other order as this Hon'ble Court deems fit and proper in the circumstances of the case and thus render justice. For Petitioner(s): Mr.M.Velmurugan For Respondent(s): Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam Addl. Public Prosecutor for RR1 and 2