Back
2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 31028
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J
S.Pandiyarajan – Appellant
Versus
The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep.by The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Sivagangai District – Respondent
Writ Petition | W.P.Crl.(MD)No.717 of 2026 | Crime Nos.32 and 33 of 2026
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Mr.S.Ramanathan
For the Respondents:Mr.S.Ravi Additional Public Prosecutor, Mr.RMS.Sethuraman for M/s.KBS Law office, Mr.C.Satheesh Government Advocate(Civil)
Court directs peace committee for temple festival amid rival group disputes to ensure inclusive participation.
Headnote:Article 226 of the Constitution of India. Petitioner sought permission to conduct temple rituals including Abhisekam, Annadhanam and Pongal at Navanikattu Ayyanar Temple on Tamil New Year. Court noted prior clashes leading to criminal cases and no resolution from peace committee. Court impleaded rival groups and directed facilitation of rituals. Issue: Whether to permit temple festival amid group clashes. Court observed rival groups' rights to participate, prior criminal cases registered, and need for consensus. Ratio: Directed peace committee and joint committee formation to ensure all groups' participation while maintaining existing Poojari. Writ petition disposed of with directions to conduct peace committee and facilitate rituals on 14.04.2026.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. petition seeks mandamus for temple rituals permission. (Para 1) |
| 2. prior clashes prevent festival without resolution. (Para 2) |
| 3. implead rival group claiming participation rights. (Para 3) |
| 4. heard counsels and perused records. (Para 4) |
| 5. direct peace committee for inclusive festival. (Para 5 , 6) |
PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, direct the respondents 1 to 3 to permit the petitioner to conduct Abhisekam, Annadhanam and Pongal on 14.04.2026 in Navanikattu Ayyanar Temple situated at Navanikalam Nerkuppai, Thiruppattur Taluk, Sivagangai District on the eve of auspicious Tamil New Year based on the representation dated 11.03.2026.
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Ramanathan For R1 – R3 : Mr.S.Ravi Additional Public Prosecutor For R4 : Mr.RMS.Sethuraman for M/s.KBS Law office For R5 : Mr.C.Satheesh Government Advocate(Civil)
ORDER
Seeking to direct the respondents 1 to 3 to permit the petitioner to conduct Abhisekam, Annadhanam and Pongal on 14.04.2026 in Navanikattu Ayyanar Temple situated at Navanikalam Nerkuppai, Thiruppattur Taluk, Sivagangai District on the eve of auspicious Tamil New Year based on the representation dated 11.03.2026, this writ petition is filed.
2. The learned Additional Public Prosecutor drew my attention to the order passed by this Court in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.717 of 2026 filed by one Karuppaiah Ambalam, in which this Court had passed an order dated 19.02.2026 directing the Tahsildar, Tirupattur Taluk to conduct a peace committee, pursuant to which peace committee was conducted among four groups. However, no solution was arrived at. A clash had occurred between various groups, which led to the registration of criminal cases in Crime Nos.32 and 33 of 2026 on the file of the 3rd respondent police. In this regard, it is not feasible to permit the petitioner to conduct the temple festival without arriving at a just conclusion.
3. The learned counsel Mr.Sethuraman drew my attention that yet another rival group, headed by one Murugan s/o Palaniyappan, Navanikalam, Nerkuppai Post, Thirupattur Taluk, Sivagangai District is also hindered by the petitioner group from participating in the temple festival. They also have all the right to participate in the same and pointed out that the group of Murugan should also be impleaded. Considering the same, this Court suo motu impleads Murugan s/o Palaniyappan, Navanikalam, Nerkuppai Post, Thirupattur Taluk, Sivagangai District as 4th respondent and the Revenue Divisional Officer, Tirupattur Taluk, Sivagangai District is suo motu impleaded as 5th respondent.
4. Heard the learned counsel on either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.
5. The 5th respondent is directed to conduct a peace committee among the groups headed by the petitioner, Karuppaiah Ambalam, Murugan (4th respondent herein) and if any other groups available and thereafter, form a committee consisting of the representatives of all the groups and further facilitate all the people to participate in Abhisekam, Annadhanam and Pongal on 14.04.2026. It is made clear that the Poojas will be conducted by the present Poojari.
6. With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.
