Prabakar v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 16.04.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI W.P(MD)Nos.8491, 8713, 9146, 1560 & 9330 of 2026 and W.M.P(MD)No.1227 of 2026 W.P(MD)No.8491 of 2026:

1.Prabakar

2.Muniyandi ... Petitioners

Vs.

1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

2.The Sub-Collector, O/o. Sub-Collector,

3.The Superintendent of Police,

4.The Deputy Superintendent of Police,

5.The Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Vaigai Basin Division,

6.The Commissioner, Paramakudi Municipality,

7.The Thasildar, Paramakudi Taluk,

8.The Inspector of Police, Paramakudi Police Station,

9.The District Fire and Rescue Officer,

10.Sri Arulmigu Sundaraja Perumal Temple, ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to permit the petitioners to install and operate amusement rides and other entertainment events on the western and eastern side of the Vaigai River for Chithirai Festival at Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District from 28.04.2026 to 07.05.2026 by considering the petitioners' representation dated 18.03.2026. For Petitioners : Mr.N.Jeyaram Sidharth For Respondents : Mr.S.Vinodh Government Advocate for R.1, R.2, R.5, R.7 & R.9 Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Crl Side) for R.3, R.4 & R.8 Mr.K.Saravanan for R.6 Mrs.P.Jessi Jeeva Priya for R.10 W.P(MD)No.8713 of 2026: Pandi Durai ... Petitioner

Vs.

1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

2.The Sub-Collector,

3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police,

4.The District Fire and Rescue Officer, Ramanathapuram,

5.The Thasildar, Paramakudi Taluk Office,

6.The Commissioner, Paramakudi Municipality,

7.The Executive Engineer, Public Works Department (WRO), Vaigai Basin Division,

8.The Assistant Executive Engineer (Construction and Maintenance), Public Works Department (WRO), Ramanathapuram District

9.The Assistant Executive Engineer, Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), Ramanathapuram District

10.The Inspector of Police, Emaneswaram Police Station, Ramanathapuram District

11.The Managing Trustee, Arulmigu Sundaraja Perumal Temple, Sri Sundaraja Perumal Devasthanam, ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to grant permission to the petitioner to install and operate amusement rides and other entertainment events in the eastern side or western side of the Vaigai river bed from 29.04 2026 to

10.05.2026 on the eve of Chithirai festival of the 11th respondent's temple in Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District by considering the petitioner`s representation dated 10.03.2026 within the time limit that may be stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.M.S.Jeyakarthik For Respondents : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar Special Government Pleader for R.1, R.2, R.4, R.5, R.7 & R.8 Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Crl Side) for R.3 Mr.K.Saravanan for R.6 Mr.S.Deenadhayalan for R.9 Mrs.P.Jessi Jeeva Priya for R.11 W.P(MD)No.9146 of 2026:

1.Dhinagaran

2.Iyyappan ... Petitioners

Vs.

1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapruam

2.The Sub-Collector - Cum - Revenue Divisional Officer,

3.The District Fire and Rescue Officer, Ramanathapuram,

4.The Deputy Superintendent of Police,

5.The Tahsildar, Paramakudi Taluk Office, Ramanthapuram District.

6.The Commissioner, Paramakudi Municipality,

7.The Executive Engineer, Public Works Department (WRO), Vaigai Basin Division, Paramakudi.

8.The Assistant Executive Engineer (Construction and Maintenance), Public Works Department (WRO),

9.The Assistant Executive Engineer, Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), Paramakudi.

10.The Managing Trustee, Arulmigu Sundaraja Perumal Temple, Sri Sundaraja Perumal Devasthanam, ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to grant permission to the petitioners to install and operate amusement rides and other entertainment events in the eastern side or western side of the Vaigai river bed from

29.04.2026 to 10.05.2026 on the eve of Chithirai festival of the 10th respondent's temple in Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District by considering the petitioners' representation dated 20.03.2026 within the time limit that may be stipulated by this Court. For Petitioners : Mr.M.Vasanth For Respondents : Mr.G.V.Vairam Santhosh Additional Government Pleader for R.1 to R.3, R.5, R.7 & R.8 Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Crl Side) for R.4 Mr.K.Saravanan for R.6 Mr.S.Deenadhayalan for R.9 Mrs.P.Jessi Jeeva Priya for R.10 W.P(MD)No.8491 of 2026:

1.T.Karthikeyan

2.L.M.Manikandan ... Petitioners

Vs.

1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram.

2.The Sub-Collector,

3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police,

4.The District Fire and Rescue Officer,

5.The Commissioner, Paramakudi Municipality,

6.The Executive Engineer (Structure), Public Works Department (WRO), Vaigai Basin Division,

7.The Inspector of Police, Emaneswaram Police Station, Paramakudi Taluk,

8.The Thasildar, Paramakudi Taluk,

9.The Managing Trustee, Arulmigu Sundaraja Perumal Temple, Sri Sundararaja Perumal Devasthanam, ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the order passed by the 6th Respondent herein, dated 30.12.2025 passed in proceeding No. VaPi/EVAA(3)/Ko.NOC (Rattinam)/ 2025 and to quash the same and further direct the respondents 1 to 9 to permit the petitioner to install the Amusement Rides, on the western and eastern side of the vaigai on account of the Chitral Festival 2026, at the Vaigai River Bed, Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District. For Petitioners : Mr.K.R.Laxman For Respondents : Mr.G.V.Vairam Santhosh Additional Government Pleader for R.1, R.2, R.4, R.6 & R.8 Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Crl Side) for R.3 & R.7 Mr.K.Saravanan for R.5 Mrs.P.Jessi Jeeva Priya for R.9 W.P(MD)No.9330 of 2026: Nagarajan ... Petitioner

Vs.

1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram.

2.The Sub-Collector, O/o.Sub Collector,

3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police,

4.The Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Vaigai Basin Division,

5.The Commissioner, Paramakudi Municipality,

6.The Thasildar, Paramakudi Taluk,

7.The Inspector of Police, Emaneswaram Police Station,

8.The District Fire and Rescue Officer,

9.Sri Arulmigu Sundaraja Perumal Temple, ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to permit the Petitioner to install and operate amusement rides and other entertainment events on both the western and eastern sides of the Vaigai River, during the Chithirai Festival at Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District, from 30.04.2026 to 10.05.2026, by considering the Petitioner's representation dated 27.03.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Sathyachidambaram For Respondents : Mr.C.Venkatesh Kumar Special Government Pleader for R.1, R.2, R.4, R.6 & R.8 Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Crl Side) for R.3 & R.7 Mr.K.Saravanan for R.5 Mrs.P.Jessi Jeeva Priya for R.9

COMMON ORDER Heard both sides.

2.The writ petitioners desire to conduct entertainment events on the western and eastern side of the Vaigai river in Paramakudi segment in connection with the Chithirai festivel. The learned counsel for the petitioners have produced orders passed by this Court during the earlier years.

3.We are of the view that tender must be conducted by the fifth respondent. The learned Special Government Pleader expressed certain difficulties citing the impending elections. Since the writ petitions were filed in the last month and the festival would commence on 29th April, the parties will have to make necessary arrangements.

4.Considering the special facts and circumstances of this case, we direct the fifth respondent to conduct the auction by tomorrow at 02.15 p.m in the office of the fifth respondent. The entire proceedings shall be duly videographed. Since two licences are to be issued, they shall be issued to the respective highest bidders. The successful bidders shall each remit a sum of Rs.1,50,000/- (Rupees One Lakh Fifty Thousand only) to the Sri Arulmigu Sundaraja Perumal Temple and a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only) to Paramakudi Municipality. We make it clear that it is open to the fifth respondent to stipulate appropriate conditions to ensure that the event is conducted in a safe manner.

5.These Writ Petitions are disposed of accordingly. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

[G.R.S., J.] [B.P., J.]

16.04.2026

NCC : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No MGA Note: Issue order copy on 16.04.2026. To

1.The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapruam

2.The Sub-Collector - Cum - Revenue Divisional Officer,

3.The District Fire and Rescue Officer, Ramanathapuram,

4.The Deputy Superintendent of Police,

5.The Tahsildar, Paramakudi Taluk Office, Ramanthapuram District.

6.The Commissioner, Paramakudi Municipality,

7.The Executive Engineer, Public Works Department (WRO), Vaigai Basin Division, Paramakudi.

8.The Assistant Executive Engineer (Construction and Maintenance), Public Works Department (WRO),

9.The Assistant Executive Engineer, Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), Paramakudi.

10.The Managing Trustee, Arulmigu Sundaraja Perumal Temple, Sri Sundaraja Perumal Devasthanam, W.P(MD)No.8491oofo2026o&oBatch G.R.SWAMINATHAN,oJ oandoo B.PUGALENDHI,oJ. MGA W.P(MD)Nos.8491,o8713,o9146,o1560o&o9330oofo2026 and W.M.P(MD)No.1227oofo2026

16.04.2026 ooo2/2