Sathyaseelan v. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep By, the District Collector

ORDER This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to respondents 1 to 5 to take appropriate action against respondents 6 to 9 for allegedly illegally excommunicating and socially boycotting the petitioner and his family members, and further to direct the respondents 1 to 5 to ensure that the petitioner and his family members are permitted to participate in the temple festival of Sri Pandi Muneeswaran Temple, situated at K. Usilampatti Village, Sivagangai Taluk, Sivagangai District, which is scheduled to be held during the Tamil month of Aadi.

¶2The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that respondents 6 to 9 have taken steps to illegally excommunicate the petitioner and his family members and prevent them from participating in the aforesaid temple festival. In these circumstances, he sought the indulgence of this Court.

¶3The learned Government Advocate(Crl.side) submitted that with regard to the complaint received from the petitioner, enquiry is pending.

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

¶5In such circumstances, this Court made the following directions: a) The fifth respondent police is directed to issue notice to the petitioner as well as respondents 6 to 9 under Section 64 of the BNSS and, after affording an opportunity of hearing to both parties, conclude the enquiry within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. b) It is made clear that the private respondents shall ensure that all persons, including the petitioner and his family members, are permitted to participate in the Aadi festival scheduled to be held at Sri Pandi Muneeswaran Temple, situated at K.Usilampatti Village, Sivagangai Taluk, Sivagangai District. c) It is made clear that the question of excommunicating any person shall not arise. If any person is excommunicated during the course of the Aadi Temple Festival, the fifth respondent police is directed to take strict action against the persons responsible, in accordance with law. d) The private respondents and the fifth respondent police are also directed to ensure that the temple tax payable by the petitioner is duly received by respondents 6 to 9 and that the petitioner and his family members are permitted to participate in all the temple rituals. It is further directed that the petitioner and his family members shall be permitted to offer goat sacrifice, if such offering forms part of the customary practices of the temple, and to worship the deity in the same manner, without any discrimination or obstruction.

¶6With the above said directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

23.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gvn

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gvn TO:-

¶1The District Collector, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District.

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

3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai Division, Sivagangai.

¶4The Tahsildar, Sivagangai Taluk, Sivagangai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Sivagangai Taluk Police Station, Sivagangai District. Dated

23.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 23.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI and W.M.P.crl.(MD).No.993 of 2026 Sathyaseelan ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The State of Tamil Nadu Rep by, The District Collector, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District. 2.The Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai, Sivagangai District. 3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai Division, Sivagangai. 4. The Tahsildar, Sivagangai Taluk, Sivagangai District. 5.The Inspector of Police, Sivagangai Taluk Police Station, Sivagangai District. 6. Vijayaraman 7. Arivuselvam 8. Vengateshwaran 9. Sevugaperumal ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus or any other Writ or direction in the nature of writ, to direct the respondents 1 to 5 to take appropriate action against respondents 6 to 9 for illegally excommunicating and socially boycotting the petitioner and his family members, and consequently direct the Respondents 1 to 5 to ensure that the petitioner and his family members are not subjected to any form of social boycott or excommunication by Respondents 6 to 9 and further, direct the respondents 2 and 5 to provide adequate police protection and ensure that the petitioner and his family members are permitted to peacefully enter Sri Pandi Muneeswaran Temple situated at K.Usilampatti Village, Sivagangai Taluk, Sivagangai District, offer prayers, receive the Thalaikattu Vari, participate in and preform the customary goat sacrifice and all other customary religious rituals in the temple festival scheduled to be held during the Tamilmonth Aadi, in accordance with the long-standing village customs, without any discrimination, obstruction, or interference by Respondents 6 to 9 or anybody acting under or on their behalf, based on the petitioner's representations dated 11.07.2026, and pass such further or other orders. For Petitioner : Mr.R.L.Dhilipan Pandian For Respondents : M/s.M.R.Priyanka Jothi Government Advocate (civil side) - For R1 & R4 : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy Government Advocate (Crl.) - For R2, R3, R5