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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
G.JAYACHANDRAN, K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN
K.J.Praveenkumar, I.A.S. – Appellant
Versus
Rama Ravikumar – Respondent
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. overview of the case and initial petitions. (Para 1 , 2 , 3) |
| 2. court's earlier directive for temple management compliance. (Para 4 , 6 , 9) |
| 3. arguments by the appellants regarding jurisdiction and compliance. (Para 10 , 12 , 14) |
| 4. discussion on contempt proceedings and the role of state authorities. (Para 17 , 19 , 26) |
| 5. court confirms dismissal of appeal and affirms the learned single judge's order. (Para 30 , 32 , 34) |
JUDGMENT :
DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.
1. The appellants before us are the District Collector, Madurai and the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City. This Letters Patent Appeal is filed by them being aggrieved by the order passed by the learned Single Judge in Cont.P.(MD) No.3594 of 2025, dated 03.12.2025.
2. One Mr.Rama.Ravikumar filed a writ petition in W.P.(MD) No.32317 of 2025 seeking direction to the fourth respondent for lighting Karthigai Deepam at Deepa Thoon (ancient Stone Lamp Pillar) situated at the Thirupparankundram Hill Top in accordance with the order of this Court in W.P.No.18884 of 1994, dated 21.11.1996. In the alternative, to permit the writ petitioner to light the same on 03.12.2025 by making necessary administrative and security arrangem
State officials must comply with judicial orders related to the right of worship, or face contempt proceedings.
The court affirmed the right to light Karthigai Deepam at Deepathoon, emphasizing communal harmony and overriding state concerns over public order, based on established customary practices.
The temple management has a statutory duty to light the Karthigai Deepam at Deepathoon, confirming their rights over the site and the protection of religious customs as defined in prior judgments.
Contempt of court - LPA against the orders passed in contempt petition is not maintainable as said orders are interlocutory in nature.
Once the Court has intrinsic material to accept that the faith or the belief is genuine and not a pretence, it must defer to the belief of the worshipper This, we must do well to recognise, applies a....
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