BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 13/02/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY S.Jeeva Karniyam President Arulmighu Sri Palmeli Ayyanar @

Palmeli Kudayavar temple ... Petitioner (amended as per order dated 13.02.2026)

Vs

1. The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram..

2. The Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram..

3. The Inspector of Police, Kamudhi Police Station, Ramanathapuram District..

4. M.Thangaraj

5. K.Muthuvijayan @ Kannan ... Respondents PRAYER :- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus to directing the respondents 1 to 3 to grant permission and protection for conducting Mahasivarathiri Thiruvizha @ Masi Kalari Tiruvizha schedule to be held on 15.02.2026 to 18.02.2026 in Arulmighu Sri Palmeli Ayyanar @ Palmeli Kudayavar at Valllanthai Village, T. Punavasal post, Kamudhi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District based on the petitioner's representation dated

30.01.2026 within the time frame may be stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr. P.Ranjithkumar, Advocate.

For Respondents 2 and 3 : Mr.A.S. Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

For 1st respondent : Mr. P. Thambidurai Government Advocate (Crl. side)

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed for issuing a Writ of Mandamus directing respondents 1 to 3 to grant permission and police protection for conducting the Mahasivarathiri Thiruvizha @ Masi Kalari Thiruvizha scheduled to be held from 15.02.2026 to 18.02.2026 at Arulmighu Sri Palmeli Ayyanar @ Palmeli Kudayavar Temple situated at Vallanthai Village, T. Punavasal Post, Kamudhi Taluk, Ramanathapuram District, based on the petitioner’s representation dated 30.01.2026, within a time frame to be stipulated by this Court.

2. The petitioner claims himself to be the President of a Sangam, namely Arulmighu Sri Palmeli Ayyanar @ Palmeli Kudayavar Temple Sangam, which was formed and registered on 14^th June 2025. It is stated that Jeeva Kariyam, Angusamy and Paul Raj are members of the said Trust, and they claim that the temple is a public temple and that they have the right of administration.

3. On the other hand, respondents 4 and 5 submitted that a 9-

member committee had already been constituted in the year 2003 following allegations of misappropriation against one Samayan, and that the said 9-member committee has been administering the temple from

2003 onwards.

4. When there are rival claims regarding the administration of the temple, the present petitioner cannot be permitted to conduct the festival independently. Moreover, the Sangam relied upon by the petitioner has been formed only recently, whereas the 9-member committee has been in existence since 2003. In such circumstances, a proper scheme has to be formulated for the administration of the temple, and only thereafter the dispute could be finally resolved. Hence, the parties are advised to approach the competent Civil Court or appropriate authority for formulation of a scheme.

5. Insofar as the present year is concerned, since the 9-member committee has been in existence from 2003 onwards and the same is acknowledged by the District Administration and the respondent Police, the said 9-member committee alone is permitted to conduct the festival for this year. It is made clear that if the parties fail to approach the competent Civil Court for formulation of a scheme, from next year onwards they shall be debarred from conducting any function in the temple until proper scheme order is obtained from competent Court.

6. With the above observations, this Writ Petition is disposed of.

13.02.2026 TRP Index : yes / no Internet: yes / no TO

1. The District Collector, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram..

2. The Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram District, Ramanathapuram..

3. The Inspector of Police, Kamudhi Police Station, Ramanathapuram District..

S.SRIMATHY,J TRP ORDER IN Date : 13/02/2026