BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 10.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY W.P.Crl.(MD)No.697 of 2026 K.Kadarkarai ... Petitioner Vs

1. The State of Tamilnadu, Rep by the Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar District.

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Srivilliputtur Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

3. The Inspector of Police, Krishnankovil Police Station, Virudhunagar District. ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2^nd and 3^rd respondents to grant permission and to give police protection to conduct the Sivarathiri festival which is schedule to be held from 16.02.2026 and 17.02.2026 in the petitioner's temple namely Arulmighu Pon Irulappa Swamy, Periakaruppasamy and Sangili Karuppasamy Temple situated at Kalyanipuram Panchayat, Sundarapandiam Revenue Village, Watrap Taluk, Virudhunagar District by considering the petitioner's representation dated 31.01.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr. M.Gnana Guru Nathan For Respondents : Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad Government Advocate (Crl.side)

W.P.Crl.(MD)No.764 of 2026 Erulappan ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar District.

2. State of Tamilnadu Rep by, The Inspector of Police, Krishnankovl Police Station, Virudhunagar District. ... 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 to grant permission and protection to conduct the Maasi Ammavasai Festival and to provide Annadhanam to be held on 17.02.2026 and 18.02.2026 at Arulmigu Pon Irulappa swamy and Periyakaruppu Swamy Thiru Kovil, K.Pudhur, Watrap Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Balamuruganantham For Respondents : Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad Government Advocate (Crl.side)

COMMON ORDER

The Writ Petition in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.697 of 2026 has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2^nd and 3^rd respondents to grant permission and to give police protection to conduct the Sivarathiri festival which is schedule to be held from 16.02.2026 and 17.02.2026 in the petitioner's temple namely Arulmighu Pon Irulappa Swamy, Periakaruppasamy and Sangili Karuppasamy Temple situated at Kalyanipuram Panchayat, Sundarapandiam Revenue Village, Watrap Taluk, Virudhunagar District by considering the petitioner's representation dated 31.01.2026.

2. The Writ Petition W.P.Crl.(MD)No.764 of 2026 has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing to direct the respondents to grant permission and protection to conduct the Maasi Ammavasai Festival and to provide Annadhanam to be held on 17.02.2026 and 18.02.2026 at Arulmigu Pon Irulappa swamy and Periyakaruppu Swamy Thiru Kovil, K.Pudhur, Watrap Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

3. It is seen from the records earlier a writ petition in W.P.(MD)No.2725 of 2026 was filed by one Erulappan, wherein the third respondent was one Mahalingam. After considering the rival submissions, this Court, vide order, dated 21.02.2025, passed an order and the same is extracted hereunder:

“7. Recording the above said submission of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned counsel appearing for the third respondent the writ petition stands disposed of with a direction to the respondents 1 and 2 to give police protection to the festival and Annadhanam to be held on 27.02.2025 and 28.02.2025 at Arulmigu Pon Irulappa Swamy and Periakaruppa Samy Thirukovil, K. Pudur, Watrap Taluk, Virudhunagar District. The petitioner and the third respondent also ensure that there will not be any law and order issue. This Court does not decide the rights of the parties in respect of the temple and only considered the smooth conduct of the festival.”

4. The writ petition in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.697 of 2026 has been filed by K.Kadarkarai, who belongs to the same group as Mahalingam, the third respondent in the ea