S.T. Selvam v. The Revenue Divisional Officer/The Election Officer,

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed challenging the rejection order passed by the second respondent in Na.Ka.No.1226/2026/E1 dated

21.03.2026 and quash the same and direct the second respondent to grant permission and necessary protection to perform the cultural program (ie) Adal Padal on 01.04.2026 at 7.00 pm to 10.00 in the evening of "Arulmigu Sri Kaliamman Thirukovil Thiruvizha, Solaithevanpatti, Theni Taluk, Theni 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 21.03.2026 is hereby quashed. This Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:-

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

01.04.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in Arulmigu Sri Kaliamman Thirukovil Thiruvizha, Solaithevanpatti, Theni Taluk, Theni 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 pnn L. VICTORIA GOWRI,J pnn To

¶1The Revenue Divisional Officer/the Election Officer, Bodinayakkanur Assembly Constituency, Theni District.

¶2The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Theni Taluk, Theni District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Veerapandi Police Station, Theni District.

¶4The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. ORDER IN and WMP CRL.(MD). No.455 of 2026 Date : 01/04/2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 01/04/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI and WMP CRL.(MD). No.455 of 2026 S.T. Selvam ... Petitioner Vs 1. The Revenue Divisional Officer/the Election Officer,, Bodinayakkanur Assembly Constituency, Theni District. 2. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Theni Taluk, Theni District. 3. State of Tamilnadu Rep by Inspector of Police, Veerapandi Police Station, Theni District. ... Respondents PRAYER :- To issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the 2nd respondent in Na.Ka.No.1226/2026/E1 dated 21.03.2026 and quash the same and direct the second respondent to grant permission and necessary protection to perform the cultural program (ie) Adal Padal on 01.04.2026 at 7.00 pm to 10.00 in the evening of "Arulmigu Sri Kaliamman Thirukovil Thiruvizha, Solaithevanpatti, Theni Taluk, Theni District. For Petitioner : Mr. K.Srinivasaragavan, Advocate. For Respondents : Mr.C.Satheesh for R1 Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabahar