Chennai K.K.Nagar Residents Welfare Association v. The Principal Secretary

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) This petition, styled as public interest litigation, has been filed seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to refrain from granting permissions to political parties and other organizations to hold public meetings in the midst of residential areas in Chennai.

¶2The entire case of the petitioner rests on a decision of a Division Bench of this Court dated 22.3.2019 in W.P.(MD) No.6850 of 2019, wherein directions were issued to the respondents not to permit any political parties to conduct meetings and rallies in street corners, roads, thoroughfares and near residential areas affecting free movement and peaceful living of the people.

¶3It is not in dispute that pursuant to the directions recently issued by this Court in Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Rep by its Deputy General Secretary v. Director General of Police and others1, the State Government has framed a Standard Operating Procedure for conduct of political rallies and meetings across the State.

¶4The petitioner is seeking an omnibus prayer, without specifically pointing out an instance where permission to conduct political meeting was granted in a residential area. If there is any violation of the Standing Operating Procedure or the provisions of the 2025 SCC OnLine Mad 13772 law governing the subject, it is for the petitioner to take it to the notice of the authorities concerned. In the absence of any concrete material pointing out any violation, no direction as prayed for can be issued. The writ petition is dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, interim application stands closed. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI,CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)

08.04.2026 Index : : sasi To:

¶1The Principal Secretary Home Department, Government of Tamil Nadu Fort St. George, Chennai - 600009.

¶2The Director General of Police Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai - 600004.

¶3The Commissioner of Police Greater Chennai Corporation Veppery, Chennai - 600007.

¶4The Inspector of Police (L and O) R-7, K.K.Nagar, Police Station P.T.Rajendran Salai, K.K.Nagar THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN,J.

(sasi) WP No.12967 of 2026

08.04.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 08.04.2026 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN WP No.12967 of 2026 and WMP N o .14177 of 2026 Chennai K.K.Nagar Residents Welfare Association Rep. by its General Secretary G.Ravishankar, S/o.D.Ganapathy AP.1734/New No.18, 102nd Street 14th Sector, K.K.Nagar Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Principal Secretary Home Department, Government of Tamil Nadu Fort St. George, Chennai - 600009. 2. The Director General of Police Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai - 600004. 3. The Commissioner of Police Greater Chennai Corporation Veppery, Chennai - 600007. 4. The Inspector of Police (L and O) R-7, K.K.Nagar, Police Station P.T.Rajendran Salai, K.K.Nagar Respondent(s) PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to refrain from granting permissions to political parties and other organizations to hold public meetings in the midst of residential areas in Chennai. For Petitioner(s): Mr.K.Elango for M/s.Krishna Law Associates For Respondent(s):Mrs.E.Ranganayaki Additional Government Pleader for R1 Mr.E.Raj Thilak Additional Public Prosecutor for R2 to R4