Selvam v. The District Collector

ORDER Seeking to direct the respondents 2, 4 and 5 to take necessary steps to grant permission and protection to the petitioner and his family members to worship and to perform pooja as Hereditary Priest in the Temple Festival conducted from 28.06.2026 to 30.06.2026 in Ranakaliamman Temple, Ramalingampatti, Kumaravadi Village, Manapparai Taluk, Trichy District based on the petitioner's representation dated 19.06.2026, this writ petition is filed.

¶2The learned counsel for the respondents 6 to 8 submitted that the entire allegation made by the learned counsel for the petitioner is unfounded. Though the petitioner had been conducting Poojas in the said temple, it was all before 15 years. The aspect of the petitioner's brother having entered into an inter-caste marriage has nothing to do with the temple administration. It was the petitioner who had voluntarily surrendered the Poojariship even before a period of 15 years and had not turned up. Following which, the villagers had taken a decision together and had thereafter taken over the administration of the temple and had conducted the temple festival for the past more than 15 years without any disturbance from the petitioner or his family. However, all of a sudden, after a period of 15 years, now the petitioner come before this Court claiming right of Poojariship. However, the respondents 6 to 8 do not have any objection for anyone to come and participate in the temple festival and worship.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner fairly conceded that he is not at all claiming any right of poojariship.

¶4Heard the learned counsel on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.

¶5Considering the submissions made by either parties, it is made clear that the respondents 6 to 8 should make all facilities for the petitioner and his family members and other people to participate in the temple festival without any hindrance. It is also made clear that they should receive the temple tax, if any offered by the petitioner side for the purpose of the temple festival and none of the villages should be excommunicated during the temple festival. If at all any difficulty is faced by the petitioner in worshipping in the temple during the festival, the 5th respondent police is directed to look into the matter and ensure the participation of the petitioner in worshipping in the temple festival. It is made clear that none of the parties in the entire village should claim any first honor during the temple festival.

¶6Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands disposed of.

25.06.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg Note : Issue order copy on 29.06.2026. TO:-

1.The District Collector, Trichy District, Trichy.

2.The Superintendent of Police, Trichy District, Trichy.

3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Division Office, Srirangam Revenue Division, Trichy District.

4.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Manapparai Sub Division, Trichy District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Vaiyampatti Police Station, Trichy District.

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

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gbg Dated

25.06.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 25.06.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Selvam ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The District Collector, Trichy District, Trichy. 2.The Superintendent of Police, Trichy District, Trichy. 3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Revenue Division Office, Srirangam Revenue Division, Trichy District. 4.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Manapparai Sub Division, Trichy District. 5.The Inspector of Police, Vaiyampatti Police Station, Trichy District. 6.Nesakumar 7.Sankar 8.Malaisamy ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 2, 4, 5 to take necessary steps to grant permission and protection to the petitioner and his family members to worship and to perform poojas as Hereditary Priest in the Temple Festival conducted from 28.06.2026 to 30.06.2026 in Ranakaliamman Temple, Ramalingampatti, Kumaravadi Village, Manapparai Taluk, Trichy District based on the petitioner's representation dated 19.06.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Prabu For R1 & R3 : M/s.M.R.Priyanka Jothi Government Advocate (Civil) For R2, R4 & R5 : Mr.D.Raja Boopathy Government Advocate (Crl.side) For R6 – R8 : Mr.Mr.Branav for Mr.P.Ganapathi Subramaniam