Police must prevent excommunication, ensure temple access and customary participation through enquiry under BNSS.

ORDER

This petition has been filed seeing for a direction to the 1^st to 5^th respondents to take action against the 6^th to 10^th respondents for committing excommunication by refusing to collect 'Vari (Tax)' and restraining the petitioner and his family members to enter, worship, conduct pooja and participate in the temple festivals of Sri Muthuramman Temple situated at Veerappa Nadar Kudiruppu, Tiruchendur Taluk, Thoothukudi District on the basis of his representation dated 30.03.2026.

2. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent police submitted that the fifth respondent police has received the representation from the petitioner.

3. Heard the learned counsel on either side and carefully perused the material available on record. Since no adverse order is proposed to be passed against the private respondents, notice to them is dispensed with.

4. Considering the facts and circumstances of this case, the fifth respondent is directed to issue summons to the petitioner as well as the private respondents herein under Section 64 of the BNSS and to conclude the enquiry as expeditiously as possible, preferably on or before 29.04.2026. The fifth respondent shall also facilitate the private respondents in accepting kudiwari from the petitioner and take necessary steps to ensure the petitioner’s participation in the temple festival. It is made clear that none of the persons, including the petitioner, shall be excluded or excommunicated from participating in the temple festival and other poojas and customary practices relating to the subject temple.

5. With the above direction, this writ petition stands disposed of.