V. Ramasubramanian, J.

1. Many times, places of worship, to which people go, seeking solace and peace, become places where there is disruption of peace. No place of worship of any particular religion is an exception to this Rule. In 2 out of 3 cases on hand, the dispute relates to places of worship. In one case, the dispute is inter religious and in the other it is intra religious.

Brief facts of the cases on hand

2. In a village known as Panipulanvayal Village, Kannankottai Group, Devakottai Taluk, Sivagangai District, a church known as St. Arokyamary Church was constructed, nearly about 30 years ago, in a huge land of an extent of about 2 acres. The church comes under the control of Sivaganga Diocese.

3. It appears that the conduct of the annual festival in the church became the subject matter of controversy from the year 2007. Proceedings were initiated by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Devakottai, under Section 145 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (in short "the Code") and an order was passed on 15.9.2009.

4. The said order became the subject matter of challenge in