Prasannakumar v. The District Collector

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The present writ petition has been filed to quash the proceedings in ve.Aa.No.14/2026/Sema ThoA/Ramanathapuram, dated 27.02.2026 on the file of the third respondent.

¶2According to the petitioner, he is the devotee of the Arul Migu Sri Ramanathaswamy Thirukovil and the third respondent has issued a public tender notice in the daily newspaper including the proceedings for engaging cameras. The same has been challenged mainly on the ground that the respondents failed to consider that the devotees are taking bath in the holy water in the well situated inside the temple. Despite the ban of cellphone usage, now the cameras have been permitted. According to him, if the cameras are allowed, that will spoil the sanctity of the temple. Hence, he challenged the impugned order.

¶3The learned Additional Advocate General, on instructions, submits that since the cellphone usage has been totally banned, the devotees from all over the countries wish to take photographs inside the temple for their memory of visiting the temple. Hence, the Government has decided to engage cameramen for taking photographs for the devotees in three places inside the temple, where there are no religious activities carried out, viz., (1) the southern side of the third praharam, (2) the thirukalyana mandabam situated in front of the Ambal Sannath and

(3) the eastern side of the Rajagopuram.

¶4It is further contended that the photographs will be taken by the persons engaged by the temple only in these three places, where there are no religious activities carried out and hence, the same will not affect the sanctity of the temple. Only in order to avoid any contrary usage of cellphones inside the temple, the three places have been earmarked for taking photographs.

¶5Heard both sides and perused the records.

¶6We are of the view that taking photographs in the above earmarked places will not affect the sanctity of the temple. However, we make it clear that the photographs should be taken only in the places identified and earmarked by the temple and the cameramen should not be allowed inside the temple and only if the devotees voluntarily come to take photographs, the cameramen may provide service for the devotees.

¶7With the said observations, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. NCS : Yes/No [N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.] Index : Yes / No

04.03.2026 Internet : Yes / No apd To

¶1The District Collector, Collector Office, Ramanathapuram District.

¶2The Commissioner (HR and CE), Hindu and Charitable Endowment Board, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034.

¶3The Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer (HR and CE), Arul Migu Sri Ramanathaswamy Thirukovil, Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District. W.P(MD)No.o5826oofo2026 N.SATHISHoKUMAR,oJ. AND M.JOTHIRAMAN,oJ. apd ORDERooMADEoIN W.P(MD)No.o5826oofo2026

03.03.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :03.03.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN and W.M.P(MD) Nos.4858 & 4860 of 2026 Prasannakumar ... Petitioner Vs 1. The District Collector, Collector Office, Ramanathapuram District. 2. The Commissioner (HR and CE), Hindu and Charitable Endowment Board, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034. 3. The Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer (HR and CE), Arul Migu Sri Ramanathaswamy Thirukovil, Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorari, to call for the records in ve.Aa.No.14/2026/Sema ThoA/Ramanathapuram/dated 27.02.2026 on the file of the third respondent and quash the same as illegal. For Petitioner : Mr. R. Jegadeeswaran For R1 : Mr. J.Ashok Additional Government Pleader For R2 : Mr.Veerakathiravan Additional Advocate General Asst. by Mr. J.Ashok Additional Government Pleader For R3 : Mr.S.Ramesh