BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 13.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY Ravi ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar District.

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Madurai Road, Aruppukottai, Virudhunagar District.

3. The Inspector of Police, Aviyur Police Station, Kariapatti Taluk, Virudhunagar.

4. The Fit Person/ Executive Officer, Arulmigu Karkuvel Ayyanar Temple, Kambikudi Village, Kariapatti Taluk, Virudhunagar.

5. R.Marimuthu

6. P.D.Rathinam Nadar, 7. G.Muthuiah, 8. P.D.Thangavel ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 and 3 to provide necessary police protection to the petitioner for doing pooja during Maha Sivarathiri festival as per custom scheduled to be held on 15.02.2026 to 17.02.2026 and consequently direct the respondents 1 and 3 to maintain law and order in the Maha Sivarathiri festival in Arulmigu Karkuvel Ayyanar Temple situated at Kambikudi village, Kariyappati Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Gokulraj For R-1 to R-3 : Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad Government Advocate (Crl.side)

For R-4 : Mr.M.Muthumanikkam, Government Advocate For R-5 to R-8 : Mr.R.G.Shankar Ganesh

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 and 3 to provide necessary police protection to the petitioner for doing pooja during Maha Sivarathiri festival as per custom scheduled to be held from 15.02.2026 to 17.02.2026 and consequently direct the respondents 1 and 3 to maintain law and order during the Maha Sivarathiri festival at Arulmigu Karkuvel Ayyanar Temple situated at Kambikudi village, Kariyappati Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

2. Admittedly, there are two rival groups, and as on date no trustee has been appointed to the said temple. In such circumstances, the HR & CE Department appointed a fit person. It is a settled proposition that a fit person cannot determine the right of poojariship, administration, or hereditary trusteeship. The petitioner claims poojariship and shall continue as poojari for the present year. Since the issue is pending adjudication in an original application before the appropriate authority and a civil suit is also pending in this regard, the petitioner is permitted to conduct pooja and perform poojariship. Both the petitioner and the rival groups are entitled to worship.

3. The private respondents are also entitled to worship, celebrate the function, and perform pooja. However, even if the private respondents celebrate the festival, the petitioner shall act as the poojari. Whenever the private respondents seek to open the temple, the same shall be opened accordingly. The keys are in the custody of the petitioner and he shall open the temple as required.

4. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. No Costs.

13.02.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No jbr NOTE: Issue order copy on 16.02.2026 To

1. The Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar District.

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Madurai Road, Aruppukottai, Virudhunagar District.

3. The Inspector of Police, Aviyur Police Station, Kariapatti Taluk, Virudhunagar.

4. The Fit Person/ Executive Officer, Arulmigu Karkuvel Ayyanar Temple, Kambikudi Village, Kariapatti Taluk, Virudhunagar.

5.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

S.SRIMATHY , J .

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13.02.2026