The court emphasizes the necessity of police protection to uphold public order during community celebrations, particularly due to concerns surrounding illegal sound systems.

JUDGMENT

The petitioner is the Secretary of the Kaliyarod Palli and Jaram, at Thrissur District. The Juma-ath committee is conducting ‘Uroos’ on 12^th and 13^th of February, 2026. There are procession and offerings by adjacent Mahallu Committees. A group of youngsters have decided to be part of the procession and offerings, which is popularly known as ‘Nercha’. They intend to use DJ sound and laser lights in the procession, which has been interdicted by the Central Juma-ath Committee, as it cause difficulties to the devotees, who attend the Uroos. The use of loudspeakers, DJ sound and laser system will also affect the elephants standing in the Uroos. The use of DJ sound system and laser lights are banned by the Forest Department by Circular no.1/2025. There are around 25 ‘Nercha’ offering committees. The petitioner apprehends a law and order situation centered around the use of prohibited DJ sound system and laser lights during procession. Accordingly, police protection was sought for. The inaction of the respondents led to filing the instant Writ Petition.

2. Learned Government Pleader took instructions and would submit that application for use of loudspeaker has been allowed only to the extent permitted by law. However, learned Government Pleader also shares the apprehension of there being a law and order issue, if the Nercha committees insist for use of DJ sound system and laser lights.

3. When this Writ Petition was moved, it was noticed that the Nercha committees were not made parties in the Writ Petition. Pursuant to the direction of this Court, additional respondents 6 to 15 were impleaded, and notice by special messenger was ordered. Except 9^th respondent notice has been served. Insofar as 9^th respondent is concerned, notice was refused. There is no representation for respondents 6 to 15 before this Court, when the matter is taken up for consideration today.

4. In view of the apprehension of the petitioner - endorsed by learned Government Pleader - of there being a possibility of a law and order situation, this Court directs the respondents 4 and 5 to afford adequate police protection to the petitioner in conducting ‘Uroos’ and especially to prevent any law and order situation therein arising out of the use of DJ sound system and laser lights by respondents 6 to 15 or by any other person. The 3^rd respondent will stand directed to oversee and ensure that adequate police protection is granted, as directed.

This Writ Petition is disposed of as above.

Sd/-