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WP.Crl.(MD) No.1538 of 2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

DATED : 25.03.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI

WP.Crl.(MD).No.1538 of 2026

L.Suresh ....Petitioner

Vs.

1. The Superintendent of Police, SP Office,

Theni District, Theni.

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Office,

Andipatti, Theni District.

3. The Inspector of Police, Kadamalaikkundu Police Station,

Theni District.

4. D.Manikandan ....Respondent(s)

Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to issue a Writ of Mandamus to diret the respondents 1 to 3 herein to grant permission and adequate police protection to conduct Chithra Bournami festival, religious rituals with Annadhanam to the deities

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WP.Crl.(MD) No.1538 of 2026

of Arul Mighu Sri Govinthan, Sri Guruvaji Amman, Sri Karuppasamy temples situated at Krishnan Kovil Street, Kadamalaikkundu Village, Theni District, scheduled on 30.04.2026, 01.05.2026 and

02.05.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Sudalaiyandi

For R-1 to R-3 : Mr.S.S.Manoj Government Advocate(Crl.Side)

For R-4 : Mr.S.Vikram

ORDER

Seeking to direct the respondents 1 to 3 to grant permission

and adequate police protection to conduct Chithra Pournami festival, religious rituals with Annadhanam to the deities of Arul Mighu Sri Govinthan, Sri Guruvaji Amman, Sri Karuppasamy temples situated at Krishnan Kovil Street, Kadamalaikkundu Village, Theni District, scheduled to be conducted on 30.04.2026, 01.05.2026 and 02.05.2026, considering the petitioner's representation dated

20.02.2026, this writ petition is filed.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the

petitioner is a member of the temple committee of the aforesaid

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WP.Crl.(MD) No.1538 of 2026

temples at Krishnan Kovil Street, Kadamalaikkundu Village, Theni District. Around 150 families are pangalis to the petitioner who are the members of the said deities, and the festival has been conducted for more than 100 years. Up to 2023, all the family members were conducting the same jointly. However, in the interregnum, two rival groups were formed due to certain indifference among the family, and hence a peace committee was conducted on 27.06.2025 for the conduct of the temple festival. Even thereafter the matter is not

settled. Hence, this writ petition is filed.

3. In view of the order passed by this Court in W.P.(MD)No.796

of 2026 that was ordered on 26.02.2026, the key has already been handed over by the 3^rd respondent to the 4^th respondent, who

represents the committee of the aforesaid temples.

4. The learned counsel for the 4^th respondent fairly conceded

the submission made by the learned Government Advocate and submitted that he is ready to extend cooperation to all the people belonging to the village for the conduct of the Chithra Pournami

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WP.Crl.(MD) No.1538 of 2026

festival and the connected religious rituals along with Annadhanam

to the aforesaid deities.

5. Heard the learned counsels on either side and carefully

perused the materials available on record.

6. In view of the submission made by the respondents, this

Court hereby directs the 4^th respondent to extend all cooperation facilitating the petitioner and all the other rival groups to participate in the Chitra Pournami festival and the connected religious rituals, including Annadhanam to the deities of Arul Mighu Sri Govinthan, Sri Guruvaji Amman, Sri Karuppasamy temples. The 3^rd respondent

is directed to ensure the peace of the community is maintained. 7. The petitioner as well as the 4^th respondent are directed to

appear before the 3^rd respondent police on 30.03.2026 and give an undertaking in writing that they will ensure the peace and comity of the community, facilitating the conduct of the festiva