Sathanur Villagers v. The Commissioner of Police,

ORDER This petition has been filed challenging the impugned order passed by the 3rd respondent in Na.Ka.No.11/Kaa.Aa/ K.K.N/Thi.Maa/2026 dated 11.06.2026 and quash the same as illegal and further direct the third respondent to grant necessary permission along with his assistance for conducting cultural program scheduled to be held on 18.06.2026 as an event of the temple festival of Arulmigu Sri Kaliamman Temple, Vadugapatti, Sathanur, Trichy 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.

¶3Learned Government Advocate(Crl.side) submitted that in an Adal Padal Programme conducted on 16.06.2026, after getting order from this Court, within the jurisdiction of Vembakottai Police Station, Virudhungar District, extremely obscene dances were performed by the Adal Padal Troop, disturbing the cultural comity of the Virudhunagar District. Therefore, he requested this Court that the entire programme of Adal Padal has to be videographed and if any obscenity is found in any manner, the programme should be stopped.

¶4In view of the above, the impugned order dated 11.06.2026 is hereby quashed. This Writ Petition is allowed on the following conditions:-

(a) The petitioner is permitted to conduct Adal Padal program on

18.06.2026 from 07.00 p.m., to 10.00 p.m., in Arulmigu Sri Kaliamman Temple, Vadugapatti, Sathanur, Trichy 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 and if any of the above condition is violated ;

(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.

(o) the police is directed to videograph the entire programme, to monitor if any of the above condition is violated and the respondent police is at liberty to stop the programme immediately, on violations, if any. 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.

17.06.2026 NCC : yes / no Index : yes / no Note : Issue order copy on 17.06.2026 pnn To

¶1The Commissioner of Police, Trichy District.

¶2The Assistant Commissioner of Police, South Zone, Trichy District.

3.The Inspector of Police, K.K.Nagar Police Station, Trichy District.

¶4The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooL.oVICTORIAoGOWRI,oJ ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooopnn oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooORDER oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooIN oooooooooooooooooooooooooWPoCRL.(MD)oNo.3179oofo2026 ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooDateoo:o17/06/2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 17/06/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI Sathanur Villagers Represented by its Villager Dharamaraj ... Petitioner Vs 1. The Commissioner of Police, Trichy District. 2. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, South Zone, Trichy District. 3. The State represented by its Inspector of Police, K.K.Nagar Police Station, Trichy District. ... Respondents PRAYER :- To pass and order or Direction or writ more particularly in the nature of writ of CERTIORARIFIED MANDAMUS calling for the entire record pertaining to the impugned order passed by the 3rd respondent in Na.Ka.No.11/Kaa.Aa/K.K.N/Thi.Maa/2026 dated 11.06.2026 and quash the same as illegal and further direct the third respondent to grant necessary permission along with his assistance for conducting cultural program scheduled to be held on 18.06.2026 as an event of the temple festival of Arulmigu Sri Kaliamman Temple, Vadugapatti, Sathanur, Trichy District. For Petitioner : Mr. M. Yesudasan, Advocate. For Respondents : Mr.S.Arun Arockiasamy Government Advocate (Crl.Side)