S.Ramachandran v. The State of Tamilnadu

ORDER This writ petition is filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 and 2 to permit the petitioner and his family members to participate in the temple festival and to perform poojas at A.M. Kambathadi Karukuvalaiyan Sonaiya and A.M. Sonaiyasamy temples, and to construct temples at No. 6B, Samiyar Santhu, Kajimar Street, Madurai, and No. 16A, Sonaiya Koil Complex, Glasskara Street, Madurai, respectively, on the eve of Maha Shivaratri festival on 15.02.2026.

¶2According to the petitioner, he is one of the pangalis of the said temples; however, the private respondents have not permitted him to worship the deity or perform poojas at the said temples. Therefore, he submitted a representation dated 17.01.2026, which has not been considered. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.

¶3The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police submitted that there is a dispute between the petitioner and the private respondents. In this regard, a petition in O.A. No. 10 of 2021 was filed, which was subsequently challenged in W.P.(MD) No. 15763 of 2022 and disposed of on 08.08.2022. The same was confirmed in W.A.(MD) No. 1421 of 2022, wherein the matter was remitted to the Joint Commissioner, Madurai, for fresh consideration. The said writ appeal was disposed of on 25.03.2025, granting liberty to the petitioner to implead himself in the O.A. and contest the same. Therefore, the rights of the parties cannot be decided at this stage, and this Court can only pass appropriate orders for worshipping the deity. He further submitted that if the parties undertake to have darshan in a peaceful manner without affecting law and order, the respondent police have no objection to granting permission in this regard.

¶4The learned counsel appearing for the 3rd respondent submitted that there is a dispute between the parties with respect to conducting poojas and hereditary trusteeship, and the matter is pending before the Commissioner, HR & CE Department, Chennai. The private respondents have never restrained the petitioner from worshipping the deity, and therefore, the petitioner may have darshan at any time.

¶5Since the claim of the petitioner is limited to performing poojas and having darshan, without affecting the rights of the parties, the petitioner is permitted to worship the deity on 15.02.2026 from 08.00 p.m. to 01.00 a.m. at the above-said temples and may have all types of darshan by offering pooja articles to the existing poojari for this year. If anybody creates a law and order issue, it is for the 2nd respondent to take appropriate action in accordance with law.

¶6With the above directions, this Writ petition is disposed of. 05-02-2026 KSA Note : Issue a copy of order on 10.02.2026 To

¶1The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, Madurai.

¶2The Inspector of Police, Thideer Nagar Police Station, Madurai.

¶3The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. S.SRIMATHY,J KSA ORDER IN WP CRL.(MD) No.569 of 2026 Date : 05.02.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 05-02-2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY S. Ramachandran Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, Madurai. 2. The Inspector of Police, Thideer Nagar Police Station, Madurai. 3.K. Mani @ Nadukkattan Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s) : Mr.H.Arumugam For Respondent(s): Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate (crl. Side), for R-1 & R-2 Mr.M.Karthikeya Venkitachalapathy, for R-3 Prayer: To issue a Writ or order or direction in the nature of the Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents 1 & 2 to permit the petitioner and his family members to participate in the temple festival and to do poojas at A.M.Kambathadi Karukuvalaiyan Sonaiya and A.M.Sonaiyasamy and build temple at No.6B, Samiyar Santhu, Kajimar Street, Madurai and at No.16A, Sonaiya Koil Complex, Glasskara Street, Madurai respectively in the eve of Maha Shiva Rathiri festival on 15.02.2026.