Ragu v. The District Collector/Returning Officer, Thoothukudi,

ORDER Challenging the impugned order passed by the 3rd respondent in Na.Ka.No.A2/111/2026 dated 20.04.2026 and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents 1 to 4 to ensure the petitioner's in participating the temple festival to be scheduled on 23.04.2026 and 24.04.2026 (Chithirak month 10th and 11th day) at Kattayanoor Sri Muniyarasa Temple, Kattayanoor, Edayanvilai, Thoothukudi District, this writ petition is filed.

¶2When the matter is taken up for hearing, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor drew my attention to the order passed by this Court in W.P.Crl.

(MD)No.1964 of 2026 filed by the very same petitioner and wherein this Court by order dated 08.04.2026 directed the 4th respondent herein to conduct a Peace Committee between the petitioner faction and one Velraj faction. Pursuant to the said order, a peace committee was conducted on 20.04.2026, where both the factions duly attended, more particularly, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor pointed out that as far as the petitioner's group is concerned, as many as eight persons had participated and as far as the 'B' party, one Velraj had participated, in which, both the parties together had agreed that as far with respect to the question of administration of the temple, the same would be resolved by approaching the appropriate Civil Court, and regarding the conduct of temple festival, the same would be conducted on 24.04.2026 and will be administered by Velraj belonging to 'B' party and all the persons including Velraj group as well as the petitioner's group will be facilitated in attending the temple festival. Having agreed to the said resolution, now the petitioner has filed this writ petition before this Court.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that in the guise of being permitted to administrate the temple festival, the said Velraj is preventing the petitioner and his people from participating in the temple festival.

¶4Heard the learned counsel on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.

¶5A careful reading of the impugned order dated 20.04.2026 would make it clear that leaving open the question of administration of the temple to be dealt with by an appropriate Civil Court, the Tahsildar had duly resolved the dispute between the two parties, directing them to conduct the temple festival on 24.04.2026. However, permitting the said Velraj to organize the temple festival, the same has been duly agreed by the 'A' Party and 'B' Party, more particularly by the petitioner. In view of the same, this Court hereby direct the 3rd respondent to ensure the participation of the petitioner and his group in the temple festival and all the related functions without any hindrance. The petitioner and his group should not create any hindrance to the said Velraj in organizing the temple festival. However, the said Velraj should not restrain the petitioner and or any person from participating in the temple festival.

¶6With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

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

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gbg TO:-

1.The District Collector, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi.

3.The Inspector of Police, Nazareth Police Station, Thoothukudi District.

4.The Tahsildar, Eral Taluk, Thoothukudi District.

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

22.04.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 22.04.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI and W.P.M.P(MD)No.568 & 569 of 2026 Ragu ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The District Collector, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi. 2.The Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi District, Thoothukudi. 3.The Inspector of Police, Nazareth Police Station, Thoothukudi District. 4.The Tahsildar, Eral Taluk, Thoothukudi District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to impugned order in Na.Ka.No.A2/111/2026 dated 20.04.2026 was issued by the 3rd respondent and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents 1 to 4 to ensure that the petitioner can be allowed to participate the traditional worship on account of the temple festival to be scheduled on 23.04.2026 and 24.04.2026 (Chithirak month 10th and 11th day) at Kattayanoor Sri Muniyarasa Temple, Kattayanoor, Edayanvilai, Thoothukudi District. For Petitioner : Mr.J.David Ganesan For Respondents : Mr.S.Ravi (R2 & R3) Additional Public Prosecutor Mr.M.Muthumanikkam (R1 & R4) Government Advocate(civil)