Thalavai v. The District Collector

ORDER This petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the respondents 1 to 5 to take action against the private respondents 6 to 11 for excommunicating the petitioner and his family members, and consequently direct the respondents 1 to 5 to collect the temple tax from the petitioner and family members for the festival of Arulmigu Sivananaintha Perumalswamy Temple situated at Kannanallur Village, Thisaiyanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District for worshipping and conducting regular pooja by considering the petitioner's representation dated 08.06.2026 within a stipulated time that may be fixed by this Court.

¶2The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner and his families are excommunicated by the private respondents herein. In this regard, the petitioner sent a representation to the respondent police. However, the same has not been considered. Hence, this writ petition came to be filed.

¶3Heard the learned counsel on either sides and carefully perused the materials placed before this Court. Since no adverse order is proposed to be passed against the private respondents, notice to them is dispensed with.

¶4Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the 3rd respondent is directed to convene a peace committee meeting forthwith, on or before 24.06.2026, by issuing notice to the petitioner and the rival parties and securing their presence. The 3rd respondent shall facilitate the participation of the petitioner and ensure that he is permitted to pay the customary temple tax in connection with the ensuing festival of Arulmigu Sivananaintha Perumalswamy Temple situated at Kannanallur Village, Thisaiyanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District.

¶5It is made clear that the private respondents shall not, under any circumstances, excommunicate or prevent any of the villagers, including the petitioner, from participating in the temple festival or refuse to receive temple tax from them. The 3rd respondent shall ensure that the festival is conducted peacefully and in accordance with law.

¶6With the above direction, this writ petition stands disposed of.

19.06.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No sm Note

: Issue order copy on 23.06.2026. TO:-

¶1The District Collector, Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli District.

¶2The Sub Collector/ Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Seranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District

¶3The Tashildar, Thisaiyanvilai Taluk Office, Thisaiyanvilai, Tirunelveli District.

¶4The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, O/o. the Deputy Superintendent of Police Valliyoor, Tirunelveli District.

¶5The Inspector of Police, Valliyoor Police Station Tirunelveli District

¶6The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. Sm Dated

19.06.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 19.06.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Thalavai ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The District Collector, Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli District. 2. The Sub Collector/ Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Divisional Office, Seranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District 3. The Tashildar, Thisaiyanvilai Taluk Office, Thisaiyanvilai, Tirunelveli District. 4. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, O/o. the Deputy Superintendent of Police Valliyoor, Tirunelveli District. 5. The Inspector of Police, Valliyoor Police Station Tirunelveli District. 6. Hariraman 7. Thangaraj 8. Ponpandi 9. Ramapandi 10.Siva Ananth 11.Muthaiah ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 5 to take action against the private respondents 6 to 11 for excommunicating the petitioner and his family members, and consequently direct the respondents 1 to 5 to collect the temple tax from the petitioner and family members for Arulmigu Sivananaintha PerumalSwamy Temple Festival which is situated at Kannanallur Village, Thisaiyanvilai Taluk, Tirunelveli District for worshipping and conducting regular pooja by considering the petitioner's representation dated 08.06.2026 within a stipulated time that may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.P.Ponraj For Respondents : Mr.S.Arun Arockiasamy (R4 & R5) Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Ms.M.R.Priyanka Jothi (R1 to R3) Government Advocate (Civil)