Sekar v. The District Collector

ORDER The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 7 to consider the petitioners' representation dated 07.03.2025 and to permit the petitioners to worship and celebrate the functions and annual festivals as usual in the Tamil month of Maasi to commemorate Maha Sivarathiri of their village deities Shri Mahalinga Moorthy, Shri Manonmani Amman, and Shri Udaiyanaachi Amman in Enapuram Village, Valani, Sivagangai District.

2.Mr.S.Tamil Selvan, learned Counsel has filed vakalat for 8th respondent and Mr.M.Vijay Prabhakar, learned Counsel has filed vakalat for 9th respondent. Even though the case is listed today, the respondents 8 and 9 did not appear before this Court either in person or through the learned Counsels. The name of the learned Counsels for respondents 8 and 9 are printed in the cause list. In spite of the same, the learned Counsels for respondents 8 and 9 did not appear before this Court.

3.The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the respondents 8 and 9 would file a petition and would not appear before the Courts. The said submission is recorded.

4.The petitioners claim they are the trustees of the temple and the respondents 8 and 9 are claiming Poojari rights. Now, the petition is filed to conduct Maha Sivarathiri festival. Therefore, the petitioners as well as the all the devotees may be permitted to do worship and celebrate the Mahashivratri festival.

5.As far as Poojari rights claimed by the respondents 8 and 9 are concerned, the 3rd respondent is directed to conduct the peace committee meeting by calling the petitioner as well as the 8th and 9th respondents. The outcome of the peace committee meeting shall be followed by the petitioner and the respondents 8 and 9. If the Tahsildar is seeking any police protection, the same shall be considered by the official respondents.

6.With the above observations, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

28.01.2026 Tmg To

1.The District Collector, District Collectorate,

2.The District Revenue Officer, District Collector,

3.The Thasildar, Taluk Office,

4.The Village Administrative Officer, Paiyur Pillaivayal (Gr),

5.The Superintendent of Police, District Police Office,

6.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Collectorate Campus,

7.The Inspector of Police, Town Police Station,

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

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 28.01.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY WP Crl.(MD) NO. 678 of 2025 1.Sekar 2.Karthikeyaraja 3.Anandababu 4.Nagavel 5.Maruthupandian (For themselves and on behalf of Enapuram Villagers and Worshipers of Village deities Shri Mahalinga Moorthy, Shri Manonmani Amman and Shri Udaiyanaachi Amman) ...Petitioner Vs 1.The District Collector, District Collectorate, 2.The District Revenue Officer, District Collector, 3.The Thasildar, Taluk Office, 4.The Village Administrative Officer, Paiyur Pillaivayal (Gr), 5.The Superintendent of Police, District Police Office, 6.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Collectorate Campus, 7.The Inspector of Police, Town Police Station, 8.A.Ramsundar 9.S.Velavan ...Respondents For Petitioner : Mr.M.Gurudas For Respondent(s): Mr.P.Thambidurai, Government Advocate R1 to R4 Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate (Crl.side) for R5 to R7 No appearance for R8 and R9 Prayer:Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 7 to consider the petitioners' representation dated 07.03.2025 and to permit the petitioners to worship and celebrate the functions and annual festivals as usual in the Tamil month of Maasi to commemorate Maha Sivarathiri of their village deities Shri Mahalinga Moorthy, Shri Manonmani Amman, and Shri Udaiyanaachi Amman in Enapuram Village, Valani, Sivagangai District.