Court permitted limited temple prasadham distribution in forest area despite objections over public peace concerns.

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 06/04/2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI Veerasuntharalingam ... Petitioner Vs

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

2. The Forest Ranger, Forest Ranger Office (Forest Department), Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

3. State of Tamilnadu Rep by Inspector of Police, Seithur Police Station, Seithur, Virudhunagar. ... Respondents PRAYER :-

To issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent 2 and 3 to grant permission for conducting the worship to the eve of Kottaimalai Karuppasamy Temple and other deities situated at Survey No.525 of Seithur Revenue Village, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District on

14.04.2026 and 15.04.2026 and to provide adequate police protection for the peaceful conduct of the festival by considering the petitioner's representation dated 24.03.2026 within a time frame to be stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr. P.Ponraj, Advocate.

For Respondents : Mr.M.Muthumanikkam for R1 and R2 Government Advocate (Civil Side)

Mr.S.S.Manoj for R3 Government Advocate (Crl Side)

ORDER

This Writ Petition is filed seeking to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent 2 and 3 to grant permission for conducting the worship to the eve of Kottaimalai Karuppasamy Temple and other deities situated at Survey No.525 of Seithur Revenue Village, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District on 14.04.2026 and 15.04.2026 and to provide adequate police protection for the peaceful conduct of the festival by considering the petitioner's representation dated 24.03.2026 within a time frame to be stipulated by this Court.

2. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate Mr. M Muthumanikam submitted that already permission has been granted. However, the learned Government Advocate submitted submitted that the temple is situated inside forest area and though they have no objection for the conduct of temple festival, they have serious objection with respect to permitting organizers in conducting cultural programs and also Annadanam, since during earlier years certain issues erupted causing disturbance to the public peace and harmony.

3. Heard either sides and I have carefully perused the materials available on record.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that since the Temple is situated inside the forest and they are not intending for an exclusive Annadanam, but only a small Curd Rice Prasadham that too only for 100 persons.

5. This Court is of the considered view that the same shall be permitted and the petitioners are permitted to supply the Curd Rice Prasadham only for 100 persons during the festival to be conducted in the Kottaimalai Karuppasamy Temple Seithur Revenue Village, Rajapalayam Taluk, Virudhunagar District.

6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.