BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 19/02/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY R.Kalaiyarasan ... Petitioner Vs

1. The District Collector, Thanjavur District.

2. The Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur District.

3. The Inspector of Police, Pappanadu Police Station, Thanjavur District.

4. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District.

5. The Tahsildar, Orathanadu, Thanjavur District.

6. R.Anandan ... Respondents PRAYER:- To Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to permit the petitioner to conduct the Arulmigu Sri Badrakaliamman Temple Festival at Poiyundarkudikadu, Orathanadu Taluk, Thanjavur District from 22.02.2026 to 04.03.2026 with adequate police protection by considering the petitioner's representation dated 12.02.2026 within the time frame fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : T.Aswin Raja Simman, Advocate.

For R2 & R3 : Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

For R1, R4 & R5 : Mr.M.Muthumanikkam Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

For R6 : Mr.K.Anandan ORDER This Writ Petition is filed to direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to conduct the temple festival of Arulmigu Sri Badrakaliamman Temple Festival at Poiyundarkudikadu, Orathanadu Taluk, Thanjavur District from 22.02.2026 to 04.03.2026 with adequate police protection by considering the petitioner's representation dated 12.02.2026 within the time frame fixed by this Court.

2. Heard both sides.

3. The petitioner submitted he belongs to the same village and he is a devotee of the said temple. Already there was dispute in the said temple. Initially one A.Ramachandran and four others namely, R.Kalaiyarasan, S.Anandan, R.Rakesh and D.Anna Durai had filed a writ petition in W.P(MD)No.5210 of 2024. This Court vide order dated 05.03.2024 has held as follows:

“2.The petitioners want to conduct Annathanam within the petition mentioned temple premises from 08.03.2024 to 13.03.2024. For performing such charitable activities, permission from the authorities is not required.

3.The petitioner's counsel assures the Court that the event will be conducted within the temple premises. There will be no installation of mic set.

4.The Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. No Costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.”

4. Subsequetly, another writ petition was filed by Kalaiyarasan in W.P(MD)No.5169 of 2025. This Court vide order, dated 26.02.2025, has passed an order to grant police protection in which the 6^th respondent herein namely R.Anandan is also a party in the said writ petition as 6^th respondent.

5. However, the learned counsel appearing for the 6^th respondent submitted that the said writ petition was disposed without issuing notice to the 6^th respondent. Further the 6^th respondent claims himself to be the President of the Administrative Committee of the temple who involved himself while construction of the said temple. The learned counsel further submitted that a festival committee would be constituted on rotation basis. For the present year, the election was conducted and one Kalidas was appointed to conduct the festival. The said submission is recorded.

6. The issue is now pending before the 4^th respondent/Revenue Divisional Officer. Hence, the 4^th respondent is directed to issue notice to the 6^th respondent and other two rival groups, namely, S.Rajendran, D.Balamurugan and A.K.Pitchaimuthu (belongs to one group). A.Ramachandran, R.Kalaiyarasan, S.Anandan(belongs to another group) and R.Rakesh and D.Anna Durai and the others who are interested parties. After hearing all the parties, the Revenue Divisional Officer shall pass appropriate orders on or before 21.02.2026.

7. With this direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No Costs.

19.02.2026 PJL Note:Issue order copy on 20.02.2026.

TO

1. The District Collector, Thanjavur District.

2. The Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur District.

3. The Inspector of Police, Pappanadu Police Station, Thanjavur District.

4. The Revenue Divisional Officer, Thanjavur