M.Murugan v. The State of Tamilnadu Rep by

ORDER This writ petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the respondents 2 to 4 to ensure that the petitioner and his family members are permitted to enter, worship, perform customary religious obligations, pay temple contributions, participate in annual festivals, offer poojas and perform all connected religious activities in Arulmigu Muppidathi Ammal Temple situated at Rajangapuram Village, Tenkasi Taluk, Tenkasi Distirct, on par with other devotees and villagers, without any discrimination, obstruction, exclusion or social boycott and consequently restrain the private respondents 7 and 8 and their men from interfering with the petitioner's lawful religious rights and from preventing the petitioner and his family members from worshipping or participating in temple activities.

¶2The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the respondents 7 and 8 have ex-communicated the petitioner and his family members from the temple activities. Hence, seeking direction to the respondents 1 to 4, this petition was filed.

3.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondents 1 to 4 submitted that the petitioner's complaint has been received and the matter is seriously considered and LIR No.10 of 2026 under Section 126 of BNSS has been registered on 07.02.2026 and the matter is pending before the 5th respondent.

4.Heard the learned counsel on either side and carefully perused the materials before this Court. Since no adverse order is proposed to be passed against the respondents 7 and 8, notice to them is dispensed with.

5.Considering the above facts, the fifth respondent is directed to put the petitioner as well as rival parties on notice under Section 64 of BNSS and condut a Peace Committee Meeting. Thereafter, the fifth respondent shall facilitate the participation of all the parties together in the said Temple festival. It is made clear that none of the villagers including the petitioner shall be excommunicated from participating in the Temple Festival. No first honours shall be offered to any of the parties participating in the Temple Festival. None of the villagers including the petitioner shall be prevented from worshipping the aforesaid temple. It is made clear that not only during the Temple festival, on every auspicious occasion, none of the villagers including the petitioner shall be prevented from worshipping.

¶6This writ petition is disposed with the above directions.

16.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No PNM TO:- The District Collector, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District.

¶2The Superintendent of Police, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District.

¶3The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Alangulam, Tenkasi District.

¶4The Inspector of Police, Alwarkurichi Police Station, Tenkasi District.

¶5The Tahsildar, Tenkasi Taluk, Tenkasi District..

¶6The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tenkasi Taluk, Tenkasi District.

¶7The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. PNM ORDER IN

16.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 16.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI M.Murugan ... Petitioner Vs 1. The State of Tamilnadu Rep By, The District Collector, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District. 2. The Superintendent of Police, Tenkasi, Tenkasi District. 3. The Deputy Superintendent Of Police, Alangulam, Tenkasi District. 4. The Inspector of Police, Alwarkurichi Police Station, Tenkasi District. 5. The Tahsildar, Tenkasi Taluk, Tenkasi District.. 6. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Tenkasi Taluk, Tenkasi District. 7. Murugan 8. Uchi Kannan @ Kannan ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 2 to 4 to ensure that the petitioner and his family members are permitted to enter, worship, perform customary religious obligations, pay temple contributions, participate in annual festivals, offer poojas and perform all connected religious activities in Arulmigu Muppidathi Ammal Temple situated at Rajangapuram Village, Tenkasi Taluk, Tenkasi Distirct, on par with other devotees and villagers, without any discrimination, obstruction, exclusion or social boycott and consequently restrain the private respondents 7 and 8 and their men from interfering with the petitioner's lawful religious rights and from preventing the petitioner and his family members from worshipping or participating in temple activities. For Petitioner : Mr. P.Balasubramani For Respondents : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy (R1 to R4) Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Ms.R.Priyanka Jothi (R5, R6) Government Advocate (Civil Side)