S.Thiruvengadam v. The Superintendent of Police

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 25.06.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3527 of 2026: S.Thiruvengadam ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District, Dindigul.

2.The Inspector of Police, Gujiliyamparai Police Station,

3.The Sub Inspector of Police, Gujiliyamparai Police Station,

4.The Tahsildar, Gujiliyamparai Taluk,

5.Thangaraj

6.Thiruvengadam

7.Mariappan

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 4 to grant permission to the petitioner and other villagers to conduct temple festival namely Sri Mariamman, Sri Bagavathiamman Temples, situated at Servaikaranpatti, Rengapalayam Puthur, Tholipatti Village, Gujiliyamparai Via, Dindigul District, based upon the petitioner's representation dated 22.06.2026 scheduled to be held on 26.06.2026 and 28.06.2026 by providing necessary police protection for celebration of temple festival. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Gokulraj For R1 – R3 : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy Government Advocate (Crl.) For R4 : M/s.M.R.Priyanka Jothi Government Advocate (Civil) For R5 - R7 : Mr.J.Imran Khan W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3546 of 2026: M.Thangarasu ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Collector, O/o. The Collectorate,

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

3.The Inspector of Police, Gujiliyamparai Police Station,

4.The Tahsildar, Gujiliyamparai Taluk,

5.S.Thiruvengadam

... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent police 2 & 3 authorities to stop the 5th respondent conduct proposed temple festival on

26.06.2026 at temple Sri Mariamman and Sri Bagavathiamman Temple, situated at Servaikaranpatti, Rengapalayam Puthur, Tholipatti Village, Gujiliyamparai Via, Dindigul District, Temple festival for our public peace and respondents 2 to 3 to fix the further suitable day to conduct of the proposed temple festival on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 24.06.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.J.Imran Khan For R1 & R4 : M/s.M.R.Priyanka Jothi Government Advocate (Civil) For R2 & R3 : Mr.C.Susikumar Government Advocate (Crl.) For R5 : Mr.S.Gokulraj COMMON ORDER W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3527 of 2026 is filed seeking a direction to the respondents 1 to 4 to grant permission to the petitioner and other villagers to conduct temple festival namely Sri Mariamman, Sri Bagavathiamman Temples, situated at Servaikaranpatti, Rengapalayam Puthur, Tholipatti Village, Gujiliyamparai Via, Dindigul District, based upon the petitioner's representation dated 22.06.2026 scheduled to be held on 26.06.2026 and

28.06.2026 by providing necessary police protection for celebration of temple festival.

¶2W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3546 of 2026 is filed seeking a direction to the respondent police 2 & 3 authorities to stop the 5th respondent from conducting the proposed temple festival on 26.06.2026 at temple Sri Mariamman and Sri Bagavathiamman Temple, situated at Servaikaranpatti, Rengapalayam Puthur, Tholipatti Village, Gujiliyamparai Via, Dindigul District, Temple festival for our public peace and respondents 2 to 3 to fix the further suitable day to conduct of the proposed temple festival on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 24.06.2026.

¶3The 5th respondent in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3527 of 2026 and the petitioner in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3546 of 2026 claims that he is a Naatamai and insisted for first honour during the temple festival and also required this Court to ensure that the temple festival is conducted in customary manner as held in the previous years.

¶4However, the learned counsel for the petitioner in W.P.Crl.(MD)No. 3527 of 2026 ensured that the temple festival will be properly conducted without excluding any persons, for which the rival party raised serious objections.

¶5Heard the learned counsels on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.

¶6The 4th respondent is directed to conduct peace committee today i.e.,

25.06.2026 at 07.00 p.m by putting all the rival parties, petitioner as well as the private respondents on notice and conduct the peace committee and facilitate the proper conduct of temple festival, which is scheduled to be held from tomorrow i.e., 26.06.2026. It is made clear that none of the parties should claim any first honor during the conduct of the temple festival. Since the time is very short, the respective counsels of the rival parties are themselves directed to inform the rival parties to appear before the 4th respondent by 05.00 p.m. The respondent police is directed to afford necessary police protection on payment of necessary charges by the administrators of the temple in terms of GO.Ms.No. 139, Home (Pol-VIII) Department, dated 04.03.2019.

¶7With the above directions, both the Writ Petitions stand disposed of.

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

1.The Collector, O/o. The Collectorate,

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

3.The Inspector of Police, Gujiliyamparai Police Station,

4.The Sub Inspector of Police, Gujiliyamparai Police Station,

5.The Tahsildar, Gujiliyamparai Taluk,

6.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. W.P.Crl.(MD)Nos.3527o&o3546oofo2026 L.VICTORIAoGOWRI,oJ. gbg Orderomadeoin W.P.Crl.(MD)Nos.3527o&o3546oofo2026 Dated

25.06.2026