Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation

2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 37753

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
M. NIRMAL KUMAR, J
A.Ponnurangam – Appellant
Versus
District Collector, Thiruvannamalai – Respondent
Writ Petition

Advocates:
For Petitioner(s): Mr.G.Tamilselvan
For Respondent(s): Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Additional Public Prosecutor

Court directs police to enquire and provide protection for traditional temple festivals if conducted peacefully.

Headnote:Under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner sought a writ of mandamus directing respondents to provide police protection for a traditional temple festival and cultural programs scheduled from 24.05.2026 to 28.05.2026, following a representation dated 05.02.2026. The festival involves a 200-year-old temple with car festivals and gruel offerings. The court noted the petitioner's claim as village Nattamai and lack of response to the representation. The issue framed was whether police protection should be directed for the peaceful conduct of the temple events. The Additional Public Prosecutor submitted no representation was received but indicated willingness to provide protection if no objections exist and events proceed peacefully without discrimination. The petitioner agreed to appear before the concerned police on 29.04.2026 with documents. The court directed the fourth respondent to receive the representation, conduct an enquiry, obtain approvals, and issue orders within two weeks. The writ petition was disposed of.

Table of Content
1. petition seeks police protection for temple festival. (Para 1 , 2)
2. respondents willing to protect peaceful events. (Para 3 , 4)
3. direct enquiry and orders within two weeks. (Para 5)

ORDER

The Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents herein to give police protection to conduct temple festival and cultural program scheduled to be held on 24.05.2026 to 28.05.2026 by considering the petitioner’s representation dated 05.02.2026.

2.The contention of the learned counsel for petitioner is that in their village, there is a 200 years old temple in the name of Arulmigu SriKaliamman and Srimaha Mariamman temple, in which during the month of May, traditional temple festival celebrated. This year, the temple festival stated to be held from 24.05.2026 to 28.05.2026. The temple car festival scheduled to be held on 24.05.2026 and the traditional gruel offering festival scheduled to be held on 26.05.2026 and on 28.05.2026 again the temple car festival along with traditional music would be conducted. Hence, the petitioner, claiming himself as Nattamai of Periaagaram Village, Polur Taluk, had sent a representation to the respondents on 05.02.2026 seeking police protection for the cultural programme. Since, no action has been taken, the present writ petition is filed.

3.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that the respondents not received any representation and the temple programme schedule. If found, there is no serious objection, if temple festival conducted in a peaceful manner with participation of all without any discrimination, the respondent police would provide adequate police protection.

4.The learned counsel for petitioner, on instructions, submitted that the petitioner would appear before the fourth respondent on 29.04.2026 along with the copy of the representation dated 05.02.2026 and the programme invitation.

5.In view of the same, the fourth respondent is directed to receive the representation, cause enquiry and issue appropriate orders after getting approval from all concerned. The entire exercise to be completed within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of the representation.

6.With the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of.

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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 37753

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASM. NIRMAL KUMAR, JA.Ponnurangam – AppellantVersusDistrict Collector, Thiruvannamalai – RespondentWrit Petition

Court directs police to enquire and provide protection for traditional temple festivals if conducted peacefully.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
M. NIRMAL KUMAR, J
A.Ponnurangam – Appellant
Versus
District Collector, Thiruvannamalai – Respondent
Writ Petition