Annai Exhibition Committee Our Lady of Snows v. The Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi District

ORDER Challenging the impugned order passed by the 3rd respondent police rejecting the petitioner's application seeking permission to conduct public exhibition on the eve of Panimaya Madha Church Festival which is likely to commence from 23.07.2026 to 16.08.2026 for a period of 25 days, this writ petition is filed.

¶2The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the same type of exhibition was permitted earlier year on the eve of the same church festival. However, mindlessly, without considering the fact that the organizers have obtained necessary permission from all the other departments, the 3rd respondent had rejected the petitioner's representation seeking permission to conduct an exhibition.

¶3The learned Government Advocate(Crl.side) categorically contended that the church is situated in a narrow road. That apart, the destination, particularly the Roche park where the exhibition is sought to be conducted is situated very near to three power stations, which may endanger the gathering public. The period for which they have sought for permission itself prolonged period of 25 days. Considering all the facts and circumstances and also the fact that another two parties have also claimed to conduct exhibition at the same destination, fearing that if the permission is granted to the petitioner, the same would compel the 3rd respondent to permit other persons again and again to organize similar exhibitions in the same place, the impugned order came to be passed. There is no infirmity in the said order and sought for dismissal of the writ petition.

¶4Heard the rival submissions and carefully perused the materials available on record.

5.On perusal of the records placed before this Court would make it clear that permission has been granted to conduct the similar exhibition on the eve of Holy Matha Church temple festival in the earlier year. In view of the same, considering the welfare of the devotees of Holy Matha Church of Thoothukudi, the impugned order is hereby set aside and the 3rd respondent police is directed to grant necessary permission to conduct the public exhibition subject to the necessary permissions to be obtained from all the other departments. It is made clear that the respondent police would give necessary police protection on payment of necessary charges in terms of GO.Ms.No.139, Home (Pol-VIII) Department, dated 04.03.2019 by the Annai Exhibition Committee Our Lady of Snows represented by Mr.Arthur Machado. It is made clear that the exhibition shall be conducted from 23.07.2026 to 16.08.2026 from 10.00 a.m to 10.00 p.m.

¶6With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of.

15.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg Note : Issue order copy on 16.07.2026. TO:-

1.The Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi District.

2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi Town, Thoothukudi District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Thoothukudi South Police Station, Thoothukudi District.

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

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gbg Dated

15.07.2026 (2/2)

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 15.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Annai Exhibition Committee Our Lady of Snows, Rep.by its President, Arthur Machado. ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep.by The Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi District. 2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi Town, Thoothukudi District. 3.The Inspector of Police, Thoothukudi South Police Station, Thoothukudi District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the entire records pertaining to the impugned rejection order passed by the 3rd respondent on petitioner's representation dated 18.06.2026 and quash the same and consequently direct the respondents no.1 to 3 to grant no objection certificate and police protection for conducting an public exhibition at Roche Park, South Beach Road, Thoothukudi from 23.07.2026 till 16.08.2026 in the light of the permission granted by the Commissioner, Thoothukudi City Municipal Corporation, Thoothukudi vide his proceedings in Na.Ka.No.F10780/2026/Ki.Ma dated 03.06.2026. (Prayer amended vide order of this Court made in W.M.P.Crl.(MD)No. 957/2026 dated 15.07.2026) For Petitioner : Mr.R.Anand For Respondents : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy Government Advocate (Crl.)