Manickam v. The Superintendent of Police,

ORDER This writ petition is filed seeking to issue Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to grant permission and protection for distribution of Annadhanam and conducting Siruthondar Drama on 30-04-2026 and 01-05-2026 in the eve of Chithirai Pournami Festival in front of the Shri Mahamariyamman Temple, situated at Ammankudi Village, Thottiyam Taluk, Trichy District, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 09.04.2026.

¶2When the matter was taken up for admission today(29.04.2026), the learned Government Advocate, submitted that already a petition has been filed by one Sekar before this Court in W.P.Crl(MD)No.28 of 2026, in which this Court by order dated 07.01.2026 had permitted the said Sekar to conduct Annadhanam and Siruthondar Drama on 30.04.2026 and 01.05.2026 and had allowed the petition.

¶3He also drew my attention to the order passed by this Court in W.P.Crl(MD)No.575 of 2026 which has been filed by one P.Shanmugam, seeking police protection for the Annathana Kodai Vizha function in Ammankudi village, on 29.04.2026 and 30.04.2026, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 05.01.2026, in which this Court by order dated 05.02.2026 had disposed of the petition, directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation dated

05.01.2026.

¶4He also further pointed out that yet another petition in W.P.

(MD)No. 13005 of 2026 has been filed before this Court seeking to conduct peace committee with regard to the conduct of Annathana Kodai Vizha function in Ammankudi village, where this Court had passed an order, directing the Superintendent of Police, Trichy District, to conduct a peace committee and the peace committee is likely to be convened today, (29.04.2026).

¶5Heard either sides and carefully perused the materials available on record.

¶6It is clear that the persons namely Sekar, Shanmugam and Manickam have approached before this Court by way of separate writ petitions. The crux of the dispute is all about conducting an Annadhanam relating to the temple festival Shri Mahamariyamman Temple, situated at Ammankudi Village, Thottiyam Taluk, Trichy District. All the three petitioners in the various writ petitions have sought for permission to conduct Annadhanam on 29-4-2026, 30-04-2026 and 01-05-2026. In view of the same, the respondent police may facilitate the said P.Shanmugam to conduct Annadhanam on 30-04-2026. One Sekar and Manickam are directed to conduct Annadhanam on 01-05-2026, together. As far as the conduct of Nadagam, it is submitted that it is a two-day programme, and hence all the petitioners are together directed to conduct the same on 30.04.2026 and 01.05.2026 from 7.00 pm to 10 p.m.

¶7With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

29.04.2026 NCC : yes / no Index : yes / no Note : Issue order copy on 29.04.2026 pnn To

¶1The Superintendent of Police, Trichy District.

¶2The Inspector of Police, Thottiyam Police Station, Trichy District.

¶3The Election Officer, Revenue Divisional Officer, Musiri Constituent Assembly, Trichy District.

¶4The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooL.oVICTORIAoGOWRI,oJ pnn oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooORDER oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooIN oooooooooooooooooooooooooWPoCRL.(MD)oNo.2449oofo2026 ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooDateoo:o29/04/2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 29/04/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI Manickam ... Petitioner Vs 1. The Superintendent of Police, Trichy District. 2. The Inspector of Police, Thottiyam Police Station, Trichy District.. 3. The Election Officer,, Revenue Divisional Officer, Musiri Constituent Assembly, Trichy District. ... Respondents PRAYER :- To issue a Writ or Order or Direction more in the nature of Writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to grant permission and protection for distribution of Annadhanam and conducting Siruthondar Drama on 30-04-2026 and 01-05-2026 in the eve of Chithirai Pournami Festival in front of the Shri Mahamariyamman Temple, situated at Ammankudi Village, Thottiyam Taluk, Trichy District, by considering the petitioner's representation dated 09.04.2026. For Petitioner : Mr. M. Karthick, Advocate For Respondents : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Mr.Arun Raj (for impleaded party)