Judiciary grants interim relief for religious events under supervision to ensure peace while deferring ownership disputes to competent forums.

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENGH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 06.05.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY Sathishkumar ... Petitioner Vs.

1.State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Superintendent of Police, Kanniyakumari District.

2.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. by its Inspector of Police, Suchindram Police Station, Kanniyakumari District.

3.P.Chandran ... Respondents [R3 is impleaded vide order dated 06.05.2026, in WMP.Crl.(MD)No.

627 of 2026]

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission and protection to perform temple programme (Kodai festival) on 07.05.2026 to 09.05.2026, on the festival event of Kulasekaranpudur Masana Sudalaimada Swamy Temple situated at Aathikulam, Kulasekaranpudur, Ramapuram Post – 629 302, Kanniyakumari District, pursuant to the representation dated 13.04.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Vikram For Respondents 1 & 2 : Mr.S.Prakash Government Advocate [Crl. Side]

O R D E R

The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission and protection to perform temple programme (Kodai festival) on 07.05.2026 to 09.05.2026, on the festival event of Kulasekaranpudur Masana Sudalaimada Swamy Temple situated at Aathikulam, Kulasekaranpudur, Ramapuram Post – 629 302, Kanniyakumari District, pursuant to the representation dated

13.04.2026.

2.One P.Chandran, who has been impleaded as the third respondent claims right over the temple, as his forefathers have conducted the temple festival during the previous years.

3.Learned Government Advocate [Crl. Side] appearing for the official respondents submits that the dispute is pending before the Revenue Divisional Officer.

4.Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, since there is dispute between two rival parties and the festival is scheduled to be conducted between 07.05.2026 to 09.05.2026, this Court for the limited purpose of conducting the festival this year peacefully, directs the Executive Officer, Suchindram, to conduct the festival. Both the petitioner Sathishkumar as well as the newly impleaded third respondent P.Chandran shall participate in the festival, however, nobody shall claim first right in the temple festival. All other grounds or rights shall be agitated before the appropriate forum. Any observation made in this order shall not influence the appropriate authority in passing orders in accordance with law. The respondent police shall provide permission and protection for conducting the festival peacefully under the supervision of the Executive Officer, Suchindram. In view of the present order passed by this Court, the Revenue Divisional Officer shall not proceed further in the present dispute. However, it is made clear that the issue relating to the administration of the temple is subject to the result of any application pending before the appropriate forum.

5.Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

06.05.2026 Index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No Neutral Citation: Yes/No MR Note: Issue a copy of this order by 08.05.2026.

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