Muthupandi v. The Superintendent of Police,

ORDER This petition has been filed challenging the rejection order passed by the 2nd respondent, with a consequential direction to the respondents to grant permission and necessary protection to conduct the Adal Padal, Pattimandram, Karagattam, Oyilattam and Kadhamba Nadaham on

01.05.2026 in connection with festival at Arulmigu Muthaiah Temple, A.Pudur, Periyakulam, 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 07.04.2026 is hereby quashed. This Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:-

(a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct Adal Padal, Pattimandram, Karagattam, Oyilattam and Kadhamba Nadaham on

01.05.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in connection with Arulmigu Muthaiah Temple, A.Pudur, Periyakulam, 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 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. No costs.

29.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Note: Issue order copy on 29.04.2026 pnn L. VICTORIA GOWRI, J pnn To

¶1The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Theni District.

¶2The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Periyakulam, Theni District.

¶3The Election Officer / Returning Officer, Periyakulam Assembly Constituency, Theni District.

¶4The Inspector of Police, Jeyamangalam Police Station, Theni District.

¶5The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. ORDER IN WP CRL.(MD) No.2423 of 2026 Date : 29/04/2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 29/04/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI Muthupandi ... Petitioner Vs 1. The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Theni District. 2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Periyakulam, Theni District. 3. The Election Officer / Returning Officer, Periyakulam Assembly Constituency, Theni District. 4. The Inspector of Police, Jeyamangalam Police Station, Theni District. ... Respondents PRAYER :- To Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus set aside the condition no.4 in Na.Ka.No. 55 the order and District the 2nd Respondent to grant Permission to conduct Adal Padal, Pattimandaram, Karagattam, Oyilattam and Kadhamba Nadaham during the temple festival at Arulmigu Muthaiah Temple, A.Pudur, Periyakulam, Theni District, on 01.05.2026. For Petitioner : Mr. A.Karthick Kumar, Advocate For Respondents : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar - for R1, R2 and R4 Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Mr.M.Muthumanikkam - for R3 Government Advocate (Civil Side)