A writ of mandamus can be issued directing authorities to grant permission for a religious festival notwithstanding a private dispute between community groups.

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 07.05.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY and W.M.P.Crl.(MD) No.655 and 656 of 2026 Adaikkan ... Petitioner Vs

1.The Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District, Dindigul.

2.State of Tamilnadu Rep by the Inspector of Police, Vadamadurai Police Station, Dindigul District.

3.Murugesan ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned proceedings issued by the second respondent herein in his proceedings in C.No.32/H1PS/2026 dated 01.05.2026 and quash the same as illegal and consequently direct the 1 and 2 respondents herein to grant permission to conduct the Chithira Pournami Urchava Vizha festival of Sri Selva Vinayagar and Sri Devi Karumaariyamman Temple located at Survey No.1883/24 (old Survey No.1750/B) situated at Narivilampatty, Kambiliampatty Village, Dindigul District, which is going to be conducted on

10.05.2026 to 14.05.2026 within the time that may be stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Sarvagan Prabhu For R-1 and R2 : Mr.A.S.Abul Kalaam Azad Government Advocate (Crl.side)

For R4 : Mr.B.Ramanathan Additional Government Pleader

ORDER

The present Writ Petition is filed for Mandamus, to quash the impugned proceedings issued by the second respondent in C.No.32/H1PS/2026, dated 01.05.2026 and consequently to direct respondents 1 and 2 to grant permission to conduct the Chithira Pournami Urchava Vizha festival of Sri Selva Vinayagar and Sri Devi Karumaariyamman Temple, located at Survey No.1883/24 (old Survey No.1750/B), situated at Narivilampatty, Kambiliampatty Village, Dindigul District, which is to be conducted from 10.05.2026 to 14.05.2026.

2. Through the impugned proceedings, dated 01.05.2026, the respondents refused to grant permission, citing that there is a dispute between two groups.

3. The petitioner states that he is collecting Thalaikattu Vari from some of the community people. However, the third respondent insisted that he would also pay Thalaikattu Vari. There is a restriction to collect Thalaikattu Vari only from certain people.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) submitted that the said issue cannot be considered in this Writ Petition. Further submitted that the petitioner may be restrained from collecting Thalaikattu Vari from their own community people also.

6. Based on the said submission, this Court is inclined to quash the impugned order dated 01.05.2026. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is allowed. The petitioner is restrained from collecting Thalaikattu Vari from the third respondent as well as from any person while conducting the festival for this year. In future, regarding Thalaikattu Vari, the petitioner is at liberty to approach the competent Civil Court to resolve the issue and the petitioner is at further liberty to collect donations alone to conduct the festival.

7. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is allowed. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. No costs.