2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 41769

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
R. Vijayakumar, J
K. Dhanasekaran – Appellant
Versus
Superintendent of Police – Respondent
W.P.Crl.(MD)No.2786 of 2026

When competing claims arise regarding the right to conduct a temple festival, the court may direct administrative revenue authorities to conduct a peace committee meeting to resolve the dispute before granting police protection.

Headnote:The petitioner sought a Writ of Mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution of India directing the police to provide protection for conducting a temple festival. The central fact involved a conflict between the petitioner and a rival group, the latter having previously litigated their claim in a pending writ petition. The core issue before the court was whether to grant police protection in the face of competing claims regarding the right to conduct a religious festival. Invoking inherent powers to ensure public order, the court held that a state-led mediation process was the appropriate mechanism for conflict resolution before granting police intervention. The court disposed of the petition by directing the revenue authorities to conduct a peace committee meeting to facilitate a resolution between the rival parties.