Court permits a political conference to proceed with conditions for public safety despite initial rejection due to location concerns.

ORDER

The petitioner, who is the President of the Chennai North Zone Advocates Wing and State Conference 2026 Chief Working Committee, Indu Makkal Katchi-Tamilagam, has filed this writ petition challenging the impugned order of rejection passed by the fourth respondent Joint Commissioner of Police (East Zone). By the impugned order, the petitioner’s request for permission to conduct the Conference in the YMCA Royapettai Chandra Convention Centre on 15.03.2026 was rejected.

2.Heard Mr.N.Seshadri, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for respondents 2 to 6.

3.It is the case of the learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner has sent a representation to the respondents on 11.02.2026 seeking permission for holding a Conference for Hindutva Political Awareness in Royapettah YMCA Ground, Chandra Convention Centre on 15.03.2026 Sunday between 06.00 a.m. to 08.00 p.m. They have given the programme details in the representation itself that the programme would start at 6.00 a.m. with ‘Ko- Pooja’ and homam and around 1000 people would participate. There will be discourse from 08.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m. and around 2000 people will participate. Thereafter, there will be cultural programme in which around 2000 persons would participate. Further, there will be procession between 02.00 p.m. and 04.00 p.m. in which around 2000 persons are expected to participate and between 04.30 p.m and 08.00 p.m., there will be a pubic meeting in the convention centre wherein 4000 persons are expected to participate and around

1000 vehicles are also expected. Therefore, the petitioner sought police permission and protection and also sought for permission for the use of light and sound system in the conference.

4.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that though the representation was sent on 11.02.2026 and the same was received by the respondents on 12.02.2026, but there was no response from the respondents police. Hence, a reminder was also sent on 18.02.2026. Thereafter, a representation dated 25.02.2026 was given to the Fire and Rescue Department seeking to provide fire and rescue vehicle for safety. This being the position, suddenly on 09.03.2026, the fourth respondent-Joint Commissioner of Police, East Zone has passed the impugned order of rejection, without hearing the petitioner which was served on the petitioner on 09.03.2026 at 11.40 p.m. The petitioner was not even called for any enquiry with regard to the preparation and the safety measures taken by the petitioner for the Conference.

5.It is the contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner that the petitioner was not granted permission for conducting procession also which was also rejected by a separate order dated 09.03.2026 and with regard to the said rejection, the petitioner has filed a separate writ petition being W.P.Crl.No.559 of 2026.

6.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that though the representation was submitted on 11.02.2026, the Joint Commissioner of Police has not taken any steps for nearly a month and in the last minute, i.e., on 09.03.2026, a few days before the Conference, he has passed the impugned order. It is further submitted by the learned counsel that all preparatory works for the conference have been started. The advance payment towards rent for the conference hall has been remitted as early as on 17.02.2026 and on 19.02.2026 and a sum of Rs.1 Lakh has been remitted. Apart from the above expenses, they have also spent lakhs of rupees towards arrangements and other facilities for the conference. They have also sent invitations and have also arranged for volunteers to par