Senthurpandi S v. The Superintendent of Police

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission and police protection for conducting Cultural Programme and Social Reform Drama Programme on 31.05.2026 and

01.06.2026 in connection with "Arulmigu Sri Muthumari Amman and Karuppasamy temple festival" situated at Veerirppu Village, Sankarankoil, Tenkasi District, based on the petitioner's representation dated 30.04.2026.

¶2Mr.Siva Subramanian, learned Government Advocate takes notice for the respondents. By consent, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner would submit that the writ petitioner has submitted a representation, on 30.04.2026, to the respondents seeking permission to conduct the festival and "Cultural Programme and Social Reform Drama" programme on 31.05.2026 and

01.06.2026 and that since no order was passed, the writ petitioner has come before this Court for the above said relief.

¶4The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents would submit that they may be permitted to conduct the Cultural Programme and Social Reform Drama on 31.05.2026 and 01.06.2026 from 07.00 p.m. to

11.00 p.m. and the organizers may be directed to follow the conditions to be imposed.

¶5At this juncture, the learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner would submit that they will follow the directions to be imposed by the Court as well as the respondent police.

¶6It is brought to the notice of this Court that the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, Chennai had issued a circular memorandum in Rc.No. 007301/Genl.I(1)/2019, dated 09.04.2019, along with instructions to the Inspectors of Police throughout Tamil Nadu for consideration of applications seeking permission for conducting cultural programme. Therefore, the respondents are directed to consider the writ petitioner's representation dated

30.04.2026 and pass appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law. In the event of permission being granted, the writ petitioner shall strictly adhere to the Circular issued by the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu / Head of Police Force, Chennai, in Rc.No.007301/Genl.I(1)/2019, dated 09.04.2019, and comply with all other conditions imposed by the police authorities. The respondent police shall also impose the following conditions in addition to any other conditions that may be imposed by them;

(a) The programme shall be conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner without causing any disturbance to public peace and tranquility or giving rise to any law and order problem;

(b) No obscene dance performance, vulgar dialogues or double meaning songs shall be played or performed during the programme;

(c) The cultural programme shall be conducted strictly between 07.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m.;

(d) In the event of violation of any of the above conditions, the respondent police or any officer duly authorised by them shall be at liberty to take appropriate action in accordance with law, including stopping the programme forthwith.

¶7With the above directions, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.

27.05.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No gvn To

¶1The Superintendent of Police, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi.

¶2The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sankarankoil, Tenkasi 627756.

¶3The Inspector of Police, Sankarankoil Taluka Police Station, Sankarankoil, Tenkasi - 627756.

4.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. K.MURALI SHANKAR, J gvn W.P.crl.(MD)No.2851 of 2026 Dated : 27.05.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 27.05.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.MURALI SHANKAR W.P.Crl.(MD) No.2851 of 2026 S.Senthurpandi ...Petitioner Vs. 1. The Superintendent of Police, Tenkasi District, Tenkasi. 2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sankarankoil, Tenkasi 627756. 3. The Inspector of Police, Sankarankoil Taluka Police Station, Sankarankoil, Tenkasi - 627756. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the Respondents 1st, 2nd and 3rd to consider the representation dated 30.04.2026 and to grant permission to conduct the yearly Temple Festival (Thiruvizha) and Cultural Programme on 31.05.2026 and Social Reform Drama Programme on 01.06.2026 the aforesaid programmes upto 12.00 midnight on teh respective days and to provide necessary police protection and security arrangements for the Arulmigu Sri Muthumari Amman and Karuppasamy temple festival sitauted at the Veerirppu Village, Sankarankoil, Tenkasi District and pass such further or other orders. For Petitioner : Mr.V.Ramaraju For Respondents : Mr.S.Siva Subramanian Counsel for State of TN (crl.side)