BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

DATED: 12.12.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY

and

W.M.P.(MD).No.26316 of 2023

B.Akila ... Petitioner

Vs

1. The District Collector,

Office of the District Collector,

Pudukkottai.

2. The Superintendent of Police,

Office of the Superintendent of Police,

Pudukkottai.

3. The Revenue Divisional Officer,

Office of the Revenue Divisional Office,

Pudukkottai.

4. The Tahsildar, Kulathur Taluk,

Pudukkottai District.

5. The Inspector of Police, Mandaiyur Police Station,

Pudukkottai District.

6. M.Pusai 7. C.Durai

8. M.Pitchai ... Respondents

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent Nos.1 to 5 to take action against the respondent Nos.6 to 8 for the illegal excommunication of the petitioner and her family members from celebrating along with village people and relatives in the festival of Arulmighu Malvai Karuppu temple, Pidampatti Village, situated at Singithakurichi Village, Kulathoor Taluk, Pudukkottai District, by considering the representations dated 08.12.2023 and 10.12.2023 in a time bound manner.

For Petitioner : Mr.D.Senthil For R-1, R-3 & R-4 : Mr.K.Balasubramani, Special Government Pleader For R-2 & R-5 : Mr.A.Albert James, Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

For R-7 : Unserved For R-6 & R-8 : No Appearance

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to respondent Nos.1 to 5 to take action against respondent Nos.6 to 8 for the alleged illegal excommunication of the petitioner and her family members from participating, along with the village people and relatives, in the festival of Arulmighu Malvai Karuppu Temple, Pidampatti Village, Singithakurichi Village, Kulathoor Taluk, Pudukkottai District, by considering the representations dated 08.12.2023 and 10.12.2023 within a time-bound manner.

2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that since the elder sister of the petitioner had contracted an inter-caste marriage, the petitioner and her entire family were excommunicated by their pangalis. It was further submitted that the petitioner and her family members were not permitted to participate in the festival of Arulmighu Malvai Karuppu Temple at Pidampatti Village.

3. Per contra, the learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondent Nos.1, 3 and 4 submitted that subsequent to the filing of the present writ petition, this Court, in a similar matter in W.P. (MD).No.21537 of 2024 filed by another affected party, by order dated 10.09.2024, directed the concerned authorities to convene a Peace Committee Meeting. Pursuant to the said order, a Peace Committee Meeting was conducted on 13.09.2024, wherein the dispute was resolved and the affected parties were permitted to participate in the temple festival and also to jointly collect contributions for conducting the festival. Hence, it was contended that the relief sought in the present writ petition has become infructuous.

4. However, the learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that even after the conduct of the Peace Committee Meeting, the petitioner and her family members were not allowed to participate in the temple festival, including the performance of customary rituals such as animal sacrifice.

5. Considering the submissions made on either side and in view of the fact that a Peace Committee Meeting has already been conducted to resolve the issue, this Court is of the opinion that no further adjudication on the merits of the matter is required in the present writ petition.

6. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of and the fifth respondent is directed to ensure that no form of excommunication is practised against the petitioner and her family members and that they are permitted to participate in the temple festival and related customary practices, in accordance with law. The fifth respondent shall also take necessary steps to prevent any untoward incident and to maintain law and order