Suthan v. The Superintendent of Police

ORDER This Writ Petition is filed seeking to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the entire relevant records relating to the retraining impugned order passed by the 2nd Respondent, dated 21.06.2026, and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents to permit the petitioner's associations 13th year of 208 milk pots' processions of 269th Gurupuja festival of Freedom Fighter namely "Maveeran Alagu Muthu Kone" from East (Uchsaini Mahakali Amman temple) to south streets in Rameshwaram temple on 11.07.2026 from

9.00 a.m., based on the petitioner's representation on 19.06.2026, within a stipulated time that may be fixed by this Court.

¶2The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the Guru Pooja of Maveeran Alagu Muthu Kone has been conducted for the past 13 years without any hindrance with proper permission from the Government. However, astonishingly, by the impugned order dated

21.06.2026, the second respondent had rejected the petitioner's representation, refusing to permit them to conduct the Guru Puja for the said freedom fighter and sought the indulgence of this Court.

¶3The learned Government Advocate, submitted that the route which is requested by the petitioner association from Shankara Madam via East Car Street, South Car Street and West Car Street to Ponthapuli is completely non-feasible, because the aforesaid streets are called crowd sensitive zones encountering heavy inflow of tourists. However, the Government is prepared to welcome and accommodate the sentiments of the Petitioners Association and permit them to conduct the said procession in an alternate route, coming from Sankara madam, proceed directly along the outer seaside road of Agni Theertham, move via Mandi Street leading to North car street and connecting to West car street and there by safely reach Ponthampuli Sri Kannapiran Temple.

¶4However, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the procession should cover the Subramaniam Temple and Parvata Vartani Temple situated in the East Car Street.

¶5Heard either sides and carefully perused the materials available on record.

¶6Though the petitioner association is ready to conduct the procession as suggested by the respondent police, however, they seek the indulgence of this Court, permitting them to proceed through the East car Street touching upon the Subramanian and Parvadhavartani temples as well.

¶7In view of the same, the respondent police is directed to suggest a viable alternate route covering the Parvatha Vardhani and Subramanyam temples in the East car street and facilitate the Petitioner Association from conducting the said procession on the occasion of the Gurupuja festival of Freedom Fighter namely "Maveeran Alagu Muthu Kone" from East (Uchsaini Mahakali Amman temple) on 11.07.2026 from 9.00 a.m., to 9:30 A.m. It is made clear that none of the participants should raise unruly slogans with caste or community color and should co-operate with the respondent police to conduct the same peacefully, without creating any law and order problems and the devotees who are carrying "Paal kudam" should carry the same in double line without obstructing the comfort of the Tourists in the crowd sensitive zone, all through the procession.

¶8With the above said direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of.

09.07.2026 NCC : yes / no Index yes / no Note : Issue order copy on 09.07.2026 pnn L. VICTORIA GOWRI,J

pnn To

¶1The Superintendent of Police, Office the Superintendent of Police Ramanathapuram District.

¶2The Inspector of Police, Rameshwaram Kovil Police Station, Rameshwaram, Ramanathapuram District.

¶3The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. ORDER IN WP CRL.(MD) No.3700 of 2026 Date : 09/07/2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 09/07/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI Suthan ... Petitioner Vs 1. The Superintendent of Police, Office the Superintendent of Police Ramanathapuram District. 2. The Inspector of Police, Rameshwaram Kovil Police Station, Rameshwaram, Ramanathapuram District. ... Respondents PRAYER :- To issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the entire relevant records relating to the retraining impugned order passed by the 2nd Respondent, dated 21.06.2026, and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the respondents to permit the petitioner's associations 13th year of 208 milk pots' processions of 269th Gurupuja festival of Freedom Fighter namely "Maveeran Alagu Muthu Kone" from East (Uchsaini Mahakali Amman temple) to south streets in Rameshwaram temple on 11.07.2026 from 9.00 a.m., based on the petitioner's representation on 19.06.2026, within a stipulated time that may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr. R.Senthilkumar, Advocate. For Respondents : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy Government Advocate (Crl.Side)