Court grants police protection for temple festival with conditions of inclusive participation and no excommunication.

ORDER

The present petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to grant permission and provide police protection for the conduct of the temple festival at Sri Seevalaperi Madasamy Temple, located in Puliyankudi, Kadaiyanallur Taluk, Tenkasi District. The festival is scheduled to be held on 29.05.2026 and 30.05.2026, under the supervision of the respondents, based on the representation submitted by the petitioner dated 18.03.2026.

2. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent police submitted that the petitioner is the village head, that there are multiple rival parties in the village, and that it was informed that as many as six families have already been excommunicated.

3. In view of the submission made by the learned Government Advocate, it is made clear that the petitioner shall not excommunicate any person from participating in the temple festival. The petitioner is directed to facilitate the participation of all villagers in the festival and shall not exempt any member of the village from payment of temple tax or contribution. The respondent police are directed to provide necessary police protection upon payment of the requisite charges in terms of GO.Ms.No.139, Home (Pol-VIII) Department, dated 04.03.2019.

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

Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

29.04.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No sm Note: Issue order copy on 13.05.2026.

TO:-

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

2. The Inspector of Police, Puliyankudi Police Station, Tenkasi District.

3. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

Sm Order made in Dated

29.04.2026