Shanmugavel v. The District Collector,

ORDER The petitioner has filed this Writ Petition, seeking a direction to the second and third respondents to provide adequate police protection to the petitioner and his family members for lighting the Thirukodi Deepam at his clan deity (Kula Theivam) Perumal Koil, situated at Melkalpalayam, Tiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District, on

03.08.2025.

¶2The petitioner submits that he and his family have been traditionally worshipping at the aforesaid temple and have been performing the lighting of the Thirukodi Deepam as a hereditary and customary practice. He further submits that on previous occasions, certain named individuals, viz., Perumal, Appavoo, Senthilkumar, Sekar, Venkatesh, and Siva, had obstructed him from performing the said religious rites and had assaulted him using criminal force, even issuing life threats in front of his family and fellow devotees inside the temple premises. The said incident led to severe pain and required him to seek immediate medical assistance through the 108 ambulance service.

¶3He further states that a complaint in this regard was registered as Crime

No.165 of 2024 on the file of the second respondent. He also submits that he had filed a civil suit as a Dharmakartha before the competent civil court regarding certain acts of misappropriation of temple funds, and that the said individuals were coercing him to withdraw the same.

¶4The petitioner apprehends further threats and obstruction during his proposed visit to the temple on 03.08.2025 and has submitted a representation dated 22.05.2025 to the second respondent seeking police protection. However, he alleges that no action has been taken on the said representation.

¶5When the matter is taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondents would submit that the representation dated 22.05.2025 submitted by the petitioner will be duly considered by the second respondent and appropriate orders will be passed in accordance with law.

¶6Recording the aforesaid submission, this Court directs the second respondent to consider the representation dated 22.05.2025 submitted by the petitioner and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, preferably before 02.08.2025, to ensure maintenance of law and order during the proposed religious activity of the petitioner scheduled on 03.08.2025.

¶7With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of.

01.08.2025 r n s Index : Yes/No Speaking Order : Yes/No

To

1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Namakkal District.

2.The State, Rep. by the Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Namakkal District.

3.The State, Rep. by the Sub Inspector of Police, Elachipalayam Police Station, Namakkal.

¶4The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court, Chennai.

P.VELMURUGAN, J r n s

01.08.2025

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Dated: 01.08.2025 Coram: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN -- Shanmugavel .. Petitioner Vs. 1.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Namakkal District. 2.The State, Rep. by the Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Namakkal District. 3.The State, Rep. by the Sub Inspector of Police, Elachipalayam Police Station, Namakkal. 4.K.Perumal 5.Appavoo .. Respondents Writ Petition is filed for issuance of direct the second and third respondents to give police protection to the petitioner and his family members for lighting of Thirukodi Deepam in his clan deity Perumal Koil (Kula Theivam) temple on 03.08.2025 situated in Melkalpalayam, Tiruchenkodu, Namakkal based on the representation of the petitioner dated 22.05.2025 within the stipulated period that may be prescribed by this Court. For petitioner : Ms.P.Gowri For respondents: Dr.C.E.Pratap Government Advocate (Criminal Side) for R1 to R3