The court ruled on the conduct of a public event under legislative restrictions regarding safety and route regulations.

ORDER

Seeking to quash the Impugned order in Na.Ka.No.

04/Keelavalavu PS/2026 dated 18.02.2026 passed by the 3^rd respondent and thereafter permit the petitioner to conduct Rekla Race and also to direct the respondent police to afford proper police protection to conduct the same on 08.03.2026 from Vellalur to Aattukulam with respect to the Vellalure Nadu Shri Velladikarar Swami Alayam Temple Function, this writ petition is filed.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is the member of the temple committee / organising committee. In view of the Masi Kodai festival pertaining to the said temple every year, a Rekla Race is conducted from time to time, and even this year, it is proposed to be conducted on 08.03.2026 at about 8:00 AM from the village Vellalur to Aattukulam. In order to conduct the said festival, the village people had also formed a festival committee in which the petitioner is one of the Commitee members. In this regard, a representation was sent to the 3^rd respondent on 16.02.2026, which was rejected by the 3^rd respondent by the impugned proceedings dated 18.02.2026. Hence, seeking to quash the same and permit the petitioners to conduct the Rekla Race, this Writ Petition is filed.

3. The learned Government Advocate, Mr. Satheesh, appearing for the 1^st respondent, submitted that considering the impugned order passed by the 3^rd respondent, the first respondent has also declined permission and placed before me the proceedings of the 1^st respondent.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. side) Mr.S.S.Manoj, appearing for the respondents 2 and 3, categorically contended that a circular memorandum has been issued by the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, Chennai, on 07.03.2024 for the purpose of regulating the conduct of bullock cart race across the State. In the instant case, the permission is sought for conducting the Rekla Race along Sivagangai - Melur National Highway. However, the said circular memorandum specifically prohibits the race from being conducted on National Highways or State Highways, and it is also mandated that such a race could preferably be conducted in village roads or any other mud track prepared on an empty field.

5. Heard the learned counsels on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the directions of the circular memorandum as issued by the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, the impugned order passed by the 3^rd respondent is hereby set aside, and the petitioner is directed to give a fresh representation and thereafter, in consultation with the 3^rd respondent, find out a route to conduct the same. The 1^st respondent, on identifying a proper route by the petitioner as well as the 3^rd respondent, would afford necessary permission for conducting the same. It is made clear that the 3^rd respondent would dispose of the petitioner's representation by tomorrow (i.e., on 07.03.2026) itself.

7. With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands allowed.