Rajasankar v. The Revenue Divisional Officer / Assistant Election Officer

ORDER This petition has been filed challenging the rejection order passed by the 1st respondent in Na.Ka.No.1370/2026/A1 dated 20.03.2026 with a consequential direction to the 1st respondent to permit petitioner to conduct Adal Padal dance progremme on 03.04.2026 in the eve of Arulmigu Sree Mariyammal temple festival situated at Thullu Kuttinaickanur Village, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District.

¶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 is hereby quashed. This Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:-

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

03.04.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in Arulmigu Sree Mariyammal situated at Thullu Kuttinaickanur Village, Peraiyur Taluk, 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. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

01.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg Note: Issue order copy on 01.04.2026. TO:-

1.The Revenue Divisional Officer / Assistant Election Officer, Usilampatti Revenue Division, Usilampatti, Madurai District.

2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Usilampatti Circle, Usilampatti, Madurai District.

3.The Inspector of Police, M.Kallupatti Police Station, M.Kallupatti, Madurai District.

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

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gbg Dated

01.04.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 01.04.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI and W.P.Crl.(MD)No.425 of 2026 Rajasankar ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Revenue Divisional Officer / Assistant Election Officer, Usilampatti Revenue Division, Usilampatti, Madurai District. 2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Usilampatti Circle, Usilampatti, Madurai District. 3.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep by The Inspector of Police, M.Kallupatti Police Station, M.Kallupatti, Madurai District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order of the 1st respondent vide his proceedings in Na.Ka.No. 1370/2026/A1 dated 20.03.2026 and quash the same as illegal consequently direct the 1st respondent to permit petitioner to conduct Adal Padal dance progremme on 03.04.2026 in the eve of Arulmigu Sree Mariyammal temple festival situated at Thullu Kuttinaickanur Village, Peraiyur Taluk, Madurai District. For Petitioner : Mr.T.Vadivelan For Respondents : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar (R2 & R3) Government Advocate (Crl.) Mr.M.Muthu Manikkam (R1) Government Advocate (Civil)