The court emphasized the importance of following the guidelines and circular memorandum issued by the Director General of Police for consideration of applications seeking permission for conducting cultural programmes.

JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission and necessary protection to conduct “Adal Padal” programme on 06.03.2023 at 06.00 pm to 11.00 pm in connection with “Thiru Vizha” of Arulmigu Sri Bagavathi Amman Thirukovil at Balasamuthiram Village, Musiri Taluk, Trichy District.)

1. The writ petitioner filed this Writ Petition seeking for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission and necessary protection to conduct “Adal Padal” programme on 06.03.2023 at 06.00 pm to 11.00 pm in connection with “Thiru Vizha” of Arulmigu Sri Bagavathi Amman Thirukovil at Balasamuthiram Village, Musiri Taluk, Trichy District.

2. Mr.E.Antony Sahaya Prabahar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor takes notice for the respondents. By consent, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner submitted that “Thiru Vizha” of Arulmigu Sri Bagavathi Amman Thirukovil at Balasamuthiram Village, Musiri Taluk, Trichy District, is going to be held on 06.03.2023. Subsequent to the same, in order to conduct Adalum cultural programme on 06.03.2023 at 06.00 pm to 11.00 pm, they sought permission of the police by giving a representation dated 24.02.2023. But, the second respondent has not considered the said representation. Since no order was passed, the writ petitioner has come before this Court for the above said relief.

4. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents would submit that the petitioner may be directed not to erect the stage in the street. He would further submit that they may be permitted to conduct the programme on 06.03.2023, from 07.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.

5. At this juncture, the learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner would submit that they are ready to conduct the programme as stated by the learned Additional Public Prosecutor.

6. I have considered the submission of the learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents.

7. It is brought to the notice of this Court that the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, Chennai had issued a circular memorandum in Rc.007301/Genl.I (1)/2019, dated 09.04.2019, along with instructions to the Inspectors of Police throughout Tamil Nadu for consideration of applications seeking permission for conducting cultural programme. Therefore, in view of the detailed circular and guidelines issued by the Director General of Police, the writ petitioner is directed to file an undertaking affidavit incorporating the specific place, date and time of the cultural programme before the second respondent police and on such filing, the second respondent police is hereby directed to consider the representation of the writ petitioner, dated 24.02.2023 and pass suitable orders based on the above said circular.

8. With the above direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.