Urgent writ petitions on festival disputes disposed directing neutral police enquiry on rival claims without merits adjudication.

ORDER

The present Writ Petition is filed seeking a writ of mandamus directing respondents 1 to 3 to decide the issues between the parties in a peace meeting pertaining to the festival notice issued by respondents 6 to 8.

2. According to the learned counsel for the petitioners, while all parties are interested in the Annathana Kodi Vizha function, one faction alone, without impleading the others as respondents and without issuing notice to them, filed a petition in W.P.Crl.(MD)No.575 of 2026 seeking police protection. Upon perusal of the invitation, it is seen that the Inspector of Police concerned, who is one of the respondents in the said writ petition, has been shown as the chief guest for the function to be organized by them. The learned counsel would submit that the right belongs to all the groups and that no order should be obtained behind the back of the other parties without impleading them.

3. I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the materials available on record.

4. I have also heard the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side), who submitted that an inquiry would be conducted in a dispassionate manner and that there are claims from three rival groups, and a decision would be taken accordingly. As a matter of fact, the parties have been approaching this Court either under criminal jurisdiction or under Article 226 of the Constitution, as per their convenience, and orders have been passed. Therefore, even though all the necessary parties have been impleaded as respondents in this writ petition, considering the fact that the festival is scheduled to be held on 29.04.2026 and 30.04.2026, there is no time to issue notice to all respondents and for this Court to pass final orders after hearing both sides.

5. Since an earlier order has already been passed directing the police to consider the representation, the petitioners' representation shall also be considered. The Superintendent of Police shall himself conduct an enquiry and pass orders in accordance with law. This Court does not express any opinion on the merits of the rival claims, and the entire matter is left to the Superintendent of Police to decide. If there are rival factions, accordingly the law and order issue shall also be decided.

6. Since this order has been passed at about 06:35 PM on

27.04.2026, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) is requested to inform the Superintendent of Police, Trichy, to hear both sides and pass orders without awaiting a copy of this order.

7. The petitioners shall appear before the Superintendent of Police at

10:30 AM tomorrow, i.e., on 28.04.2026.

8. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.