M.Sakthivel v. The Election Officer / Returning Officer / District Consumer Supply Officer

ORDER This petition has been filed challenging the proceedings of the 1st respondent in Na.Ka.No. E.Office-1000/2026/Ku.Poo.7 dated 20.03.2026, insofar as it relates to condition No.12 rejecting permission for conducting the Adal Padal programme, with a consequential direction to the respondents to grant permission to the petitioner to conduct Adal Padal cultural programme on

05.04.2026 in connection with the temple festival at Sri Mahakaliyamman Kovil, Chinna Anuppanadi, Chinthamani, Madurai District, with sound and lighting system and with adequate police protection, subject to reasonable conditions.

¶2It is brought to the notice of this Court that the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu issued two circulars bearing Rc.No.159539/Crime. 4(3)/2018, signed on 31.10.2018 and Rc.007301/GenlI(1)/2019, dated

09.04.2019, wherein instructions have been given to the Inspectors of Police throughout Tamil Nadu for consideration of applications seeking permission for conducting cultural programme.

¶3In view of the above, the impugned order dated 20.03.2026, insofar as it relates to condition No.12 rejecting permission for conduct of Adal Padal programme, is hereby quashed. This Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:-

(a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct Adal Padal program on

05.04.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in connection with the temple festival at Sri Mahakaliyamman Kovil, Chinna Anuppanadi, Chinthamani, Madurai District;

(b) The organisers, who shall be the responsible members of the festival committee, shall ensure that only cultural programs having some relevance to the temple or the festival in question would be conducted and there shall not be any obscene display/dance being conducted;

(c) The program shall not extend beyond 10 p.m.;

(d) No women participating in the cultural program would be depicted or portrayed in an obscene or undignified manner either in the form of clothing or otherwise;

(e) The music that shall be used shall be in sync with the precincts of the temple and double meaning songs should not be played;

(f) There shall be no supply of alcohol or any intoxicating material in and around the area where cultural program is scheduled to be held;

(g) None of the songs or dances performed in the said programme shall exhibit any political tone, tenor, or colour, nor shall they relate to or promote any religion, community, or caste.

(h) Organizers shall not erect any digital banners/placards on either side of the arterial roads, platforms, walkways/major roads and any other roads;

(i) the function should not affect caste, religious or communal harmony and shall be conducted without any discrimination;

(j) the Police is empowered to stop the programme, if it exceeds beyond the permitted time;

(k) if any untoward incident takes place, the organizers of the programme be made responsible for the same;

(l) the organizers shall have to obtain all other required permission from the authorities concerned;

(m) Any other conditions as the authority concerned consider to impose according to the ground reality. In case of violation of any conditions, it is open to the authorities to initiate such action as is required under law and the persons who are the organisers/committee members shall be held responsible.

26.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No sm Note: Issue order copy on 27.03.2026. TO:-

¶1The Election Officer / Returning Officer / District Consumer Supply Officer, 195 Thiruparankundram Assembly Constituency, Madurai District, Madurai.

¶2The Commissioner of Police, Office of the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, Madurai District.

¶3The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police, South Gate Region, Madurai City, Madurai District.

¶4The Inspector of Police, B7 Chintamani Police Station, Madurai City, Madurai District.

¶5The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. Sm Dated

26.03.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 26.03.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI M.Sakthivel ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The Election Officer / Returning Officer / District Consumer Supply Officer, 195 Thiruparankundram Assembly Constituency, Madurai District, Madurai. 2. The Commissioner of Police, Office of the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, Madurai District. 3. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police, South Gate Region, Madurai City, Madurai District. 4. The Inspector of Police, B7 Chintamani Police Station, Madurai City, Madurai District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records pertaining to the impugned proceedings of the 1st respondent in Na.Ka.No. E.Office-1000/2026/Ku.Poo.7 dated 20.03.2026 and quash the same insofar as it relates to Condition No.12 rejecting permission for conducting the Adal Padal programme, and consequently direct the respondents to grant permission to the petitioner to conduct the Adal Padal cultural programme on 05.04.2026 in connection with the temple festival at Sri Mahakaliyamman Kovil, Chinna Anuppanadi, Chinthamani, Madurai District, with sound and lighting system and with adequate police protection, subject to reasonable conditions. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Meena For Respondents : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar (R2 to R4) Government Advocate (Crl.) Mr.C.Satheesh (R1) Government Advocate (Civil)