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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 41513
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J
C.Durairaj Gounder – Appellant
Versus
The District Election Officer / District Collector – Respondent
W.M.P.Crl.(MD)No.506 of 2026
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Mr.T.Leninkumar
For the Respondents: Mr.S.S.Manoj, Mr.M.Muthumanikkam, Mr.A.N.Ramanathan
Court can direct fresh representation and conciliation for religious festivals when original petition becomes infructuous.
Headnote:Paragraph 1: Statute Analysis: The petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to quash the impugned order dated 05.04.2026 passed by the Returning Officer. Facts of the Case: The petitioner seeks permission to conduct the Panguni festival from 07.04.2026 to 15.04.2026 at Sri Mariamman Temple, Pannankombu.
Findings of Court:
The petition has become infructuous due to the efflux of time. Paragraph 2:
Issues: Whether the permission for the temple festival should be granted anew.
Ratio Decidendi: The Court directed the petitioner to submit a fresh representation on 08.05.2026 and instructed the authorities to convene a peace committee meeting to facilitate the festival. Last Paragraph:
Result: This Writ Petition stands disposed of with directions for a fresh representation and a peace committee meeting.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. petition became infructuous due to delay. (Para 1 , 2 , 3) |
| 2. direct fresh representation and conduct peace meeting. (Para 4) |
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed challenging the order passed by the 2nd respondent in the proceedings in Moo.Mu.Aa5/5151/2022 dated 05.04.2026 with a consequential direction to the respondents 2 and 3 to grant permission to the petitioner to conduct Panguni festival from 07.04.2026 to 15.04.2026 at Sri Mariamman Temple, Pannankombu, Pannappatti East Village, Manapparai Taluk, Trichy District.
2. When the matter came up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondent police submitted that the petition has become infructuous owing to the efflux of time.
3. Heard the learned counsel on either sides and carefully perused the materials placed before this Court.
4. In view of the fact that the matter has become infructuous, but considering that the temple festival has not yet been conducted, the petitioner is directed to submit a fresh representation on 08.05.2026, both in person and by registered post. On receipt of the same, the second respondent is directed to convene a peace committee meeting on 13.05.2026, after affording an opportunity of hearing to all the factions concerned, and thereafter facilitate the conduct of the temple festival. It is made clear that all devotees shall be permitted to pay the temple tax, that no person shall be prevented from participating in the temple festival, and that no individual shall claim any precedence or first honour.
5. With the above directions, this Writ Petition stands disposed of.
