Kamala v. The District Collector

ORDER The petitioner in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4334 of 2026 is seeking permission to participate in the temple festival which is scheduled to be held on 04.08.2026 and 05.08.2026 at Arulmigu Seelaikkari Amman Temple, Ayothidasar Nagar, Anaiyur Kokulam, Thirumangalam Taluk, Madurai District.

¶2The petitioner in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4346 of 2026 is seeking permission and police protection for conducting Valli Thirumanam Nadagam and Raja Rani Drama on 04.08.2026 and 05.08.2026 respectively.

¶3The learned Government Advocate(Crl.side) submitted that both the petitions are pertaining to the same temple. He also submitted that the matter is already recommended to the peace committee meeting in L.I.R.No.40 of 2026 before the 2nd respondent in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4334 of 2026.

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

¶5In view of the submissions made on either side, the 4th respondent in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4334 of 2026 is directed to grant permission to conduct Valli Thirumanam Nadagam on 04.08.2026 and Kattabomman Drama on 05.08.2026. As far as the participation of the villagers in the temple festival is concerned, all the villagers, including the petitioner in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4334 of 2026 should not be prevented or excommunicated by any persons, more particularly, the organizers of the temple festival, from participating, worshipping, and enjoying the temple festival. The 2nd respondent in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4334 of 2026 is directed to put the rival factions, including the petitioners in both the petitions on notice and conduct peace committee, ensuring the participation of all the factions and the same shall be concluded by 02.08.2026.

¶6With the above directions, both the Writ Petitions stand disposed of. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

31.07.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg Note : Issue order copy on 31.07.2026. TO:-

1.The District Collector,

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

3.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Usilampatti,

4.The Tahsildar, Thirumangalam Taluk,

5.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thirumangalam Taluk,

6.The Inspector of Police, Checkanurani Police Station,

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gbg

7.The Sub Inspector of Police, Chekkanurani Police Station,

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

31.07.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 31.07.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI and W.P.M.P.Crl.(MD)No.1037 of 2026 W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4334 of 2026: Kamala ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The District Collector, 2.The Tahsildar, Thirumangalam Taluk, 3.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thirumangalam Taluk, 4.The Inspector of Police, Checkanurani Police Station, ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to ensure that the Aadi Festival of Arulmigu Seelaikkari Amman Temple, Ayothidasar Nagar, Anaiyur Kokulam, Thirumangalam Taluk, Madurai District scheduled to be held on 04.08.2026 and 05.08.2026, is conducted strictly in accordance with the long-standing customary practice prevailing in the village by permitting and ensuring the participation of all the villagers in the temple festival, and further direct the 4th respondent to provide necessary and adequate police protection for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the temple festival, enabling all the villagers to participate without any obstruction or disturbance and thereby maintain public peace, communal harmony and law and order. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Srikanth For R1 - R3 : M/s.M.R.Priyanka Jothi Government Advocate (Civil) For R4 : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy Government Advocate (Crl.) W.P.Crl.(MD)No.4346 of 2026: Muthaiah ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Superintendent of Police, Madurai District, Madurai. 2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Usilampatti, 3.The Sub Inspector of Police, Chekkanurani Police Station, ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 3rd respondent to grant permission and provide adequate police protection to conduct cultural programme directing the 3rd respondent to grant permission and provide adequate police protection to conduct cultural programme (Valli Thirumana nadagam and Rajarani Drama) to be held on 04.08.2026 and 05.08.2026 on the evening of Arulmigu Seelaikari Amman Kovil festival at A.Kokkulam village, Madurai District on the petitioner's representation dated 25.07.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.G.Thalaimutharasu For Respondents : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy Government Advocate (Crl.)