L.Suresh v. The Superintendent of Police

ORDER Seeking to direct the respondents 1 to 3 to grant permission and adequate police protection to conduct Chithra Pournami festival, religious rituals with Annadhanam to the deities of Arul Mighu Sri Govinthan, Sri Guruvaji Amman, Sri Karuppasamy temples situated at Krishnan Kovil Street, Kadamalaikkundu Village, Theni District, scheduled to be conducted on 30.04.2026, 01.05.2026 and

02.05.2026, considering the petitioner's representation dated

20.02.2026, this writ petition is filed.

¶2The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is a member of the temple committee of the aforesaid temples at Krishnan Kovil Street, Kadamalaikkundu Village, Theni District. Around 150 families are pangalis to the petitioner who are the members of the said deities, and the festival has been conducted for more than 100 years. Up to 2023, all the family members were conducting the same jointly. However, in the interregnum, two rival groups were formed due to certain indifference among the family, and hence a peace committee was conducted on 27.06.2025 for the conduct of the temple festival. Even thereafter the matter is not settled. Hence, this writ petition is filed.

¶3In view of the order passed by this Court in W.P.(MD)No.796 of 2026 that was ordered on 26.02.2026, the key has already been handed over by the 3rd respondent to the 4th respondent, who represents the committee of the aforesaid temples.

¶4The learned counsel for the 4th respondent fairly conceded the submission made by the learned Government Advocate and submitted that he is ready to extend cooperation to all the people belonging to the village for the conduct of the Chithra Pournami festival and the connected religious rituals along with Annadhanam to the aforesaid deities.

¶5Heard the learned counsels on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.

¶6In view of the submission made by the respondents, this Court hereby directs the 4th respondent to extend all cooperation facilitating the petitioner and all the other rival groups to participate in the Chitra Pournami festival and the connected religious rituals, including Annadhanam to the deities of Arul Mighu Sri Govinthan, Sri Guruvaji Amman, Sri Karuppasamy temples. The 3rd respondent is directed to ensure the peace of the community is maintained.

¶7The petitioner as well as the 4th respondent are directed to appear before the 3rd respondent police on 30.03.2026 and give an undertaking in writing that they will ensure the peace and comity of the community, facilitating the conduct of the festival amicably without any tussle.

¶8With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of.

25.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No Sml

To

¶1The Superintendent of Police, SP Office, Theni District, Theni.

¶2The Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Office, Andipatti, Theni District.

¶3The Inspector of Police, Kadamalaikkundu Police Station, Theni District.

¶4The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

Sml WP.Crl.(MD)No.1538 of 2026

25.03.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 25.03.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI WP.Crl.(MD).No.1538 of 2026 L.Suresh ....Petitioner Vs. 1. The Superintendent of Police, SP Office, Theni District, Theni. 2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Office, Andipatti, Theni District. 3. The Inspector of Police, Kadamalaikkundu Police Station, Theni District. 4. D.Manikandan ....Respondent(s) Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to issue a Writ of Mandamus to diret the respondents 1 to 3 herein to grant permission and adequate police protection to conduct Chithra Bournami festival, religious rituals with Annadhanam to the deities of Arul Mighu Sri Govinthan, Sri Guruvaji Amman, Sri Karuppasamy temples situated at Krishnan Kovil Street, Kadamalaikkundu Village, Theni District, scheduled on 30.04.2026, 01.05.2026 and 02.05.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Sudalaiyandi For R-1 to R-3 : Mr.S.S.Manoj Government Advocate(Crl.Side) For R-4 : Mr.S.Vikram