Permission for temple festival granted within election code timings; liberty to challenge restrictions.

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Thangaraj ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, District Collector Office, Virudhunagar District.

2.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep by. the Superintendent of Police, O/o.Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar District.

3.The Executive Officer, Arulmiku, Nachadai Thavirtharulia Swami Temple, Hindu Religious and Endowment Charitable Department, Thevadanam, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Seithur Police Station, Seithur, Virudhunagar District. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents 3 and 4 to grant permission for conducting the Panguni Festival at Sri Kaliyanaandi Ayyanar Temple, situated at Sokkanaathanpudur Village, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District, from 01.04.2026 to 02.04.2026 with necessary sound and light arrangements, and to provide adequate police protection for the peaceful conduct of the festival by considering the petitioner's representation dated 17.03.2026 within a time frame to be stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.P.Ponraj For R1 : Mr.C.Satheesh Government Advocate(Civil)

For R2 & R4 : Mr.M.Sakthi Kumar Government Advocate(Criminal)

For R3 : Mr.P.Mahendran

ORDER

Seeking to direct the respondents 3 and 4 to grant permission to conduct Panguni Festival at Sri Kaliyanaandi Ayyanar Temple, situated at Sokkanaathanpudur Village, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District, from 01.04.2026 to 02.04.2026and to provide adequate police protection considering the petitioner's representation dated 17.03.2026, this writ petition is filed. 2. The learned counsel appearing for the 3^rd respondent submitted that already the petitioner's representation was considered and they are also permitted to conduct temple festivals from 06.00 a.m., to 10.00 a.m., in terms of the election code of conduct vide proceedings dated 31.03.2026.

3. Recording the said submission, giving liberty to the petitioner to challenge the aforesaid proceedings, if so advised, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. It is made clear that there is no impediment for the petitioner to conduct festival as planned on 01.04.2026 to

02.04.2026 between 06.00 a.m to 10.00 p.m. No costs.

01.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No gbg Note: Issue order copy on 01.04.2026.

TO:-

1.The District Collector, District Collector Office, Virudhunagar District.

2.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep by. the Superintendent of Police, O/o.Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar District.

3.The Executive Officer, Arulmiku, Nachadai Thavirtharulia Swami Temple, Hindu Religious and Endowment Charitable Department, Thevadanam, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

4.The Inspector of Police, Seithur Police Station, Seithur, Virudhunagar District.

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

gbg

5.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

Order made in Dated

01.04.2026