P.Sankar v. The Superintendent of Police,

ORDER This petition has been filed challenging the impugned order passed by the respondent police dated 12.06.2026 and consequently directing the 2nd and 3rd respondents to forthwith permit and facilitate the petitioner and the Thuvar Village community to perform the 5th day and 9th day Mandagapadis in Aani Festival at Sri Sevugamoorthy Ayyanar Thirukoil, Pariyamaruthipatti, Thiruppathur Taluk, Sivagangai District, during the festival period from

17.06.2026 to 01.07.2026.

¶2The learned counsel appearing for the third respondent submitted that the third respondent Samasthanam has already issued a schedule for conducting Mandapadi by the respective Mandapadidhars. It was further submitted that Sri Sevugamoorthy Ayyanar Thirukoil, Pariyamaruthipatti, Thiruppathur Taluk, Sivagangai District, belongs to the third respondent Samasthanam, which has been conducting the temple festival year after year. The learned counsel pointed out that the third respondent Samasthanam has already published a schedule specifying the persons entitled to perform Mandapadi on each day from Day 1 to Day 11 of the festival. Therefore, it was submitted that the said schedule may be permitted to be followed and implemented during the ensuing festival.

¶3The learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent police submitted that there is no likelihood of any law and order problem arising in connection with the conduct of the festival and that adequate police protection would be provided to maintain peace and tranquility.

¶4The learned counsel appearing for respondents 4 to 6 submitted that the Mandapadi should be permitted to be conducted strictly in accordance with the schedule already issued by the third respondent Samasthanam and insisted that the same be followed during the course of the festival.

¶5Heard the learned counsel on either sites and carefully perused the materials placed before this Court.

¶6Since the impugned order has been passed by the respondent police refusing permission for the conduct of the temple festival, the same is hereby set aside. Consequently, the third respondent Samasthanam is directed to conduct the festival in accordance with the schedule already issued by it and to permit the respective Mandapadidhars to perform Mandapadi strictly in terms of the said schedule.

¶7This writ petition is allowed with the above directions. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

18.06.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No sm Note: Issue order copy on 18.06.2026. TO:-

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

¶2The Inspector of Police, Nerkuppai Police Station, Sivagangai District.

¶3Sivagangai Samasthanam Devasthanam, Sivagangai, Rep. Though its Manager, 27, Raja Chathira Street, Sivagangai-630 561.

¶4The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. Sm Dated

18.06.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 18.06.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI & W.M.P.Crl.(MD)No.790 of 2026 P.Sankar ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai District, Sivagangai. 2. The Inspector of Police, Nerkuppai Police Station, Sivagangai District. 3. Sivagangai Samasthanam Devasthanam, Sivagangai, Rep. Though its Manager, 27, Raja Chathira Street, Sivagangai-630 561. 4. Poiyyan @ Murugan 5. Alagiya Meyyan 6. Palaniyappan ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records in pursuant to the impugned proceedings issued by the 2nd respondent in Proc. No. Na.Ka.No.22/V1PS/ Proceedings / 2026 dated 12.06.2026 and quash the same as illegal and consequently directing the 2nd and 3rd respondents to forthwith permit and facilitate the petitioner and the Thuvar Village community to perform the 5th day and 9th day Mandagapadis in the Aani Festival at Sri Sevugamoorthy Ayyanar Thirukoil, Pariyamaruthipatti, Thiruppathur Taluk, Sivagangai District, during the festival period from 17.06.2026 to 01.07.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Balasubramani For Respondents : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy (R1 & R2) Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Mr.Karthikeya Venkitachalapathy (R3) Mr.R.Venkatesan (R4 to R6)