S.Sankareswaran v. The District Collector / District Election Officer

ORDER This petition has been filed seeing for a direction to the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 07.04.2026 and consequently grant permission and adequate police protection to perform the cultural programmes including Adal Padal scheduled to be held on 11.05.2026 and

13.05.2026 and to set up Rattinam for all four days of the festival from

10.05.2026 to 13.05.2026 in connection with the 154th year Chithirai Thiruvizha at Arulmigu Annai Parasakthi Mariyamman and Annai Pathrakaliyamman Temple, Sundankulam Village, Vembakottai Taluk, Virudhunagar 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, this Writ Petition is disposed on the following conditions:-

(a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct cultural program only on

11.05.2026 in connection with Chithirai Thiruvizha at Arulmigu Annai Parasakthi Mariyamman and Annai Pathrakaliyamman Temple, Sundankulam Village, Vembakottai Taluk, Virudhunagar 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 attire of the dancers performing in the said programme should be modest and does not involve exposure of the midriff, thighs, legs or chest. Any violation of this condition shall result in legal action, including the arrest of the organisers and all members of the temple committee.

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

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

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

(n) 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.

22.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No sm Note: Issue order copy on 30.04.2026.

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. Sm TO:-

¶1The District Collector / District Election Officer, Office of the District Collector, Virudhunagar District.

¶2The Election Officer / Returning Officer, 204, Sattur Assembly Constituency, O/o. the Revenue Divisional Officer, Sattur, Virudhunagar District.

¶3The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar District.

¶4The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sattur Sub Division, Virudhunagar District.

¶5The Inspector of Police, Vembakottai Police Station, Virudhunagar District.

¶6The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. Dated

22.04.2026

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. This matter is listed under the caption 'for being mentioned' at the instance of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner. 2. The learned counsel submits that relief has been granted permitting the setting up of a Rattinam for all four days of the festival, from 10.05.2026 to 13.05.2026, in connection with the Chithirai Thiruvizha at Arulmigu Annai Parasakthi Mariyamman and Annai Pathrakaliyamman Temple, Sundankulam Village, Vembakottai Taluk, Virudhunagar District, and prays that the same may be suitably modified accordingly. 3. In view of the above, paragraph 3 of the order dated 22.04.2026 shall stand renumbered as paragraph 4 and shall be substituted as follows:- "3. With regard to the relief sought of setting up of Giant Wheel, the Block Development Officer, Sattur Union, Sattur, Virudhunagar District, and the District Fire and Rescue Officer (DFO), District Office, Fire and Rescue Services, Virudhunagar District, are suo motu impleaded as the 6th and 7th respondents, respectively. The petitioner is permitted to install a Giant Wheel (Rattinam), subject to obtaining necessary permission from the 6th and 7th respondents. The 6th and 7th respondents are directed to inspect the site and grant permission, if the proposed Giant Wheel complies with all requisite safety parameters for its operation." 4. Barring the above, there are no other modifications to order dated 22.04.2026 passed in this petition. 5. Registry shall carry out necessary amendment in the cause title and issue fresh order copy to the parties concerned incorporating the aforesaid modification. 30.04.2026 sm Note: Issue order copy on 08.05.2026. L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. Sm Dated 30.04.2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 22.04.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI S.Sankareswaran ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The District Collector / District Election Officer, Office of the District Collector, Virudhunagar District. 2. The Election Officer / Returning Officer, 204, Sattur Assembly Constituency, O/o. the Revenue Divisional Officer, Sattur, Virudhunagar District. 3. The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar District. 4. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sattur Sub Division, Virudhunagar District. 5. The Inspector of Police, Vembakottai Police Station, Virudhunagar District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated 07.04.2026 and consequently grant permission and adequate police protection to perform the cultural programmes including Adal Padal scheduled to be held on 11.05.2026 and 13.05.2026 and to set up Rattinam for all four days of the festival from 10.05.2026 to 13.05.2026 in connection with the 154th year Chithirai Thiruvizha at Arulmigu Annai Parasakthi Mariyamman and Annai Pathrakaliyamman Temple, Sundankulam Village, Vembakottai Taluk, Virudhunagar District. For Petitioner : Mr.J.Ashwin For Respondents : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar (Rr to R5) Government Advocate (Crl.) Mr.M.Muthumanikkam (R1 & R2) Government Advocate (Civil)