The court upheld the validity of a written undertaking by a temple committee as sufficient grounds to deny permission for the proposed event.

ORDER

This petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the respondents to give permission for “Rekhla Race” function scheduled on 21.03.2026 and adequate protection for the kodai festival of Arulmigu Kalyani @ Kaniyamman Temple, Agaram, Thoothukudi District by considering the petitioner's representation dated 14.02.2026.

2. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent police submitted that the temple committee had already submitted an application seeking proper police protection and other necessary permissions for the conduct of the temple festival, and the same had been granted by way of a written permission, subject to certain conditions. It was further submitted that the temple committee had given a written undertaking agreeing to abide by the said conditions and had specifically stated that it would not conduct any rekhla race. The said undertaking was also placed before this Court for perusal and the same reads as follows:-

3. Heard the learned counsel on either sides and carefully perused the materials available on record.

4. Though the learning counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that he is unaware as to whether the person who had given the written undertaking really belongs to the temple committee, it is the considered opinion of this Court that the police could not have obtained any such statement from 3^rd parties.

5. In view of the written undertaking given by the temple committee, I do not find any merit in this petition and this writ petition stands dismissed accordingly.