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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 29978
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, CJ, G.Arul Murugan, J
Chennai K.K.Nagar Residents Welfare Association Rep. by its General Secretary G.Ravishankar – Appellant
Versus
The Principal Secretary Home Department, Government of Tamil Nadu – Respondent
WP No.12967 of 2026 | WMP No.14177 of 2026
For the Petitioner(s): Mr.K.Elango for M/s.Krishna Law Associates
For Respondent(s): Mrs.E.Ranganayaki Additional Government Pleader for R1, Mr.E.Raj Thilak Additional Public Prosecutor for R2 to R4
PIL for blanket prohibition on political meetings in residential areas dismissed absent specific violation evidence.
Headnote:The petition under Article 226 seeks a writ of mandamus to prevent permissions for public meetings by political parties in residential areas, relying on prior directions from W.P.(MD) No.6850 of 2019 prohibiting such events near residential zones to protect free movement and peaceful living. The State has implemented a Standard Operating Procedure for political rallies per recent court orders in Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam case. The court found no specific violation alleged, dismissing the omnibus prayer absent concrete evidence. The core issue is whether general directions can issue without evidence of SOP or legal violations in permission grants. The ratio holds that public interest claims require particularized instances of non-compliance, not blanket prohibitions, distinguishing from prior specific directives. The writ petition is dismissed with no costs; interim application closed.
| Table of Content |
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| 1. pil seeks mandamus against permissions for meetings in residential areas. (Para 1) |
| 2. relies on prior court directions prohibiting political events in residential zones. (Para 2) |
| 3. state framed sop for rallies following recent court order. (Para 3) |
| 4. dismissed for lack of specific violation evidence. (Para 4) |
This petition, styled as public interest litigation, has been filed seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to refrain from granting permissions to political parties and other organizations to hold public meetings in the midst of residential areas in Chennai.
2. The entire case of the petitioner rests on a decision of a Division Bench of this Court dated 22.3.2019 in W.P.(MD) No.6850 of 2019, wherein directions were issued to the respondents not to permit any political parties to conduct meetings and rallies in street corners, roads, thoroughfares and near residential areas affecting free movement and peaceful living of the people.
3. It is not in dispute that pursuant to the directions recently issued by this Court in Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Rep by its Deputy General Secretary v. Director General of Police and others, 2025 SCC OnLine Mad 13772, the State Government has framed a Standard Operating Procedure for conduct of political rallies and meetings across the State.
4. The petitioner is seeking an omnibus prayer, without specifically pointing out an instance where permission to conduct political meeting was granted in a residential area. If there is any violation of the Standing Operating Procedure or the provisions of the law governing the subject, it is for the petitioner to take it to the notice of the authorities concerned. In the absence of any concrete material pointing out any violation, no direction as prayed for can be issued.
The writ petition is dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, interim application stands closed.
