C.Ramesh v. The Election Officer / District Supply and Consumer Protection Officer

ORDER This petition has been filed challenging the impugned order passed by the 1st Respondent in Na.Ka.No. 1266/2026/E1 dated 01.04.2026 declining permission to conduct Aadal Paadal and Music Concert during the Festival to be conducted on 08.04.2026 at 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in the evening of Arulmigu Sri Mandaiamman Kovil Thiruvizha, Vayalpatti Village, Aundipatti Taluk, Theni District, quashing the same and directing the 3rd respondent to grant permission to the Festival Committee to conduct Aadal Paadal and Music Concert during the Festival to be conducted on 08.04.2026 in the said temple.

¶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.

¶3Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that in the cause title, the third respondent was wrongly mentioned as The Inspector of Police, Aundipatti Police Station, Theni District, instead of 'The Inspector of Police, Rajadhani Police Station, Theni District'.

¶4The said submission is taken on record. Registry is directed to modify the third respondent as 'The Inspector of Police, Rajadhani Police Station, Theni District' in the cause title.

¶5In view of the above, the impugned order dated 01.04.2026 is hereby quashed. This Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:-

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

08.04.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in Arulmigu Sri Mandaiamman Kovil Thiruvizha, Vayalpatti Village, Aundipatti Taluk,

(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.

06.04.2026 NCC : yes / no Index : yes / no Note: Issue order copy on 07.04.2026 pnn L. VICTORIA GOWRI,J pnn To

¶1The Election Officer / District Supply and Consumer Protection Officer, Bodinayakanur Assembly Constituency,

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

¶3The Inspector of Police, Rajadhani Police Station,

¶4The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. ORDER IN WP CRL.(MD) No.1911 of 2026 Date : 06/04/2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 06/04/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI and WPMP CRL.(MD). No.474 of 2026 C.Ramesh ... Petitioner Vs 1. The Election Officer / District Supply and Consumer Protection Officer, Bodinayakanur Assembly Constituency, 2. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Aundipatti Taluk, Theni District. 3. The State Rep By, The Inspector of Police, Rajadhani Police Station, (R3 modified vide order dated 06.04.2026) ... Respondents PRAYER :- To Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the 1st Respondent in Na.Ka.No. 1266/2026/E1 dated 01.04.2026 and permission and necessary protection to perform the cultural program (ie) Adal Padal on 08.04.2026 at 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in the evening of Arulmigu Sri Mandaiamman Kovil Thiruvizha, Vayalpatti Village, Aundipatti Taluk, Theni District. For Petitioner : Mr. K.Srinivasaragavan, Advocate. For Respondent : Mr.C.Satheesh for R1 Government Advocate (Civil Side) Mr.S.S.Manoj for R2 and R3 Government Advocate (Crl.side)