Ravichandran v. The Revenue Divisional Officer,

ORDER This Writ Petition is filed seeking to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent No. 3 to give adequate police protection and permission to the petitioner and his subordinates (Vellalar Community people) for performing the poojas in the Ayyanar Swamy and other devotees temple situated at Manjakkudi, Kottaipattinam Post, Manamelkudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District, as fixed by the respondent Nos.4 to 10.

¶2The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the private respondents are completely hindering the petitioner and his community people from participating and worshiping in the temple situated at Manjakkudi village.

¶3The learned Government Advocate appearing for respondents submitted that already a peace committee meeting has been conducted by the revenue authorities where both the parties were required to appear, wherein they had given in writing, that they will resolve the disputes before appropriate civil Court.

¶4The learned counsel appearing for the private respondents submitted that they are seeking right of Poojariship. It is their contention that the private respondents are not hindering anyone from offering worship in the aforesaid temples.

¶5Heard either sides and carefully perused the materials available on record. Since no adverse order is proposed to be passed as against the respondents 4 to 10, notice to the respondents 4 to 10 is dispensed with.

¶6It is the categorical contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner that the Vellalar community people are completely excommunicated in Manjakkudi village from participating in any form of worship in the temple. In view of the same, it is made clear that since the temple belongs to HR & CE Department and the private respondents 4 to 10 do not have any authority to excommunicate any persons, including the petitioner or his community, from worshipping in the aforesaid temple. If any act of excommunication is continued by the respondents 4 to 10, the third respondent police is directed to forthwith register first information report as against such persons. However, as far as the dispute regarding to the right of Poojariship in the temple belongs to HR &CE Department, the respective parties are directed to approach the appropriate authority by filing a civil suit.

¶7With the above observation, this Writ Petition is disposed of.

18.06.2026 NCC : yes / no Index : yes / no pnn To

¶1The Revenue Divisional Officer Aranthangi, Pudukkottai District.

¶2The Tahsildar, Manamelkudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District.

¶3The Inspector of Police, Jegathapattinam Police Station, Pudukkottai District.

¶4The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooL.oVICTORIAoGOWRI,oJ pnn ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooORDER oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooIN oooooooooooooooooooooooooWPoCRL.(MD)oNo.3194oofo2026 ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooDateoo:o18/06/2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 18/06/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI Ravichandran ... Petitioner Vs 1. The Revenue Divisional Officer Aranthangi, Pudukkottai District. 2. The Tahsildar, Manamelkudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District. 3. The Inspector of Police, Jegathapattinam Police Station, Pudukkottai District. 4. Periyasamy 5. Kalanjiyam 6. Veeraiah 7. Balasubramaniyan 8. Veeraiah 9. Veeragavan 10. Veeramani ... Respondents PRAYER :- To issue a writ or order or direction in the nature of Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent No. 3 to give adequate police protection and permission to the petitioner and his subordinates (Vellalar Community people) for performing the poojas in the Ayyanar Swamy and other devotees temple situated at Manjakkudi, Kottaipattinam Post, Manamelkudi Taluk, Pudukkottai District, as fixed by the respondent Nos.4 to 10. For Petitioner : Mr. C.Ezhilarasu, Advocate. For Respondent : Ms.M.R.Priyanka Jothi - for R1 and R2 Government Advocate (Civil Side) Mr. D.Rajaboopathy for R3 Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Mr.R.Sriya Narayanan for R4 to R10