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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 43723
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
K. Murali Shankar, J
Sivalingam – Appellant
Versus
State of Tamilnadu – Respondent
W.P.Crl.(MD) No.2853 of 2026
For the Appellants/Petitioners: G.Manikandan
For the Respondents: S.Siva Subramanian, I.Pinayagash
The court may issue a Writ of Mandamus directing administrative authorities to mediate and resolve local disputes, such as those concerning social excommunication and festival participation, to ensure peace and protect the fundamental right to worship.
Headnote:The petitioner filed a writ petition seeking a Writ of Mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, contending that the family was being subjected to social excommunication and prevented from participating in a local temple festival. The grievance involved non-action on a representation submitted to administrative and police authorities. The Court noting that the issue involved pending criminal complaints, directed the competent local authority to convene a meeting between the disputing parties to reach an amicable resolution before the scheduled festival date. The central issue was whether the administrative authorities should be compelled to intervene in a dispute involving allegations of social excommunication and right to worship. The Court applied the principles of administrative law regarding the discharge of duties by public officers, emphasizing the necessity of resolving local disputes to facilitate law and order during religious events. Reasoning that prompt resolution was required due to the imminent nature of the festival, the Court directed the third respondent to exercise statutory authority to mediate a settlement. The final outcome was that the Writ Petition stood disposed of, with a specific direction to the Tahsildar to conduct a meeting and pass an appropriate order before the specified date.
| Table of Content |
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| 1. the court directs local administrative authorities to mediate disputes before the scheduled festival to ensure public order. (Para 6) |
| 2. petitioner seeks judicial intervention for administrative inaction regarding social excommunication and festival access. (Para 1 , 2 , 3) |
6.Aandivel ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Respondents 1 to 4 to take immediate and appropriate action on the petitioner's representation dated 19.05.2026 against the Respondents 5 and 6 for unlawfully socially excommunicating the petitioner and his family and directing the 4th respondent police to provide adequate police protection to the petitioner and his family members to enable them to peacefully enter, worship and participate in the temple festival of Arulmigu Sri Vinayagar, Sri Poo Mariyammal, Sri Pappathi Amman and Sri Periyandavar Temple situated at Moonandipatti, Melvaarkottai Village, Vadamadurai Taluk, Dindigul District scheduled on 29.05.2026 and to ensure that the petitioner and his family are not prevented from offering Pongal, making temple festival tax and participating in temple and Village functions and pass such further or other orders. For Petitioner : Mr.G.Manikandan For Respondents : Mr.S.Siva Subramanian Counsel for State of TN (crl.side) – For R4 : Mr.I.Pinayagash Government Advocate for R1 to R3
ORDER
The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking Mandamus, directing the Respondent Nos.1 to 4 to take appropriate action on the petitioner's representation dated 19.05.2026 against the Respondents 5 and 6 for unlawfully socially excommunicating the petitioner and his family and directing the 4th respondent police to provide adequate police protection to the petitioner and his family members to enable them to peacefully enter, worship and participate in the temple festival of Arulmigu Sri Vinayagar, Sri Poo Mariyammal, Sri Pappathi Amman and Sri Periyandavar Temple situated at Moonandipatti, Melvaarkottai Village, Vadamadurai Taluk, Dindigul District scheduled on 29.05.2026 and to ensure that the petitioner and his family members are not prevented from offering Pongal, making temple festival tax and participating in temple and Village functions
2. Mr.S.Siva Subramanian, learned Government Advocate takes notice for the respondent No.4 and Mr.I.Pinayagash, learned Government Advocate takes notice for Respondent Nos.1 to 3. By consent, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner would submit that the petitioner had submitted a representation dated 19.05.2026 to Respondent Nos. 1 to 4, seeking permission to conduct the festival, perform worship, and participate in the temple festival scheduled to be held on 29.05.2026 at Arulmigu Sri Vinayagar, Sri Poo Mariyammal, Sri Pappathi Amman, and Sri Periyandavar Temple, situated at Moonandipatti, Melvaarkottai Village, Vadamadurai Taluk, Dindigul District, and that, since no order has been passed thereon, the petitioner has approached this Court seeking the aforesaid relief.
4. The learned Government Advocate appearing for Respondent Nos. 1 to
3 would submit that, on the basis of the complaint and counter-complaint, FIRs came to be registered in Crime Nos.248 and 249 of 2026 on the file of the Vadamadurai Police Station, Dindigul District, and the investigation is pending. He would further submit that the petitioner submitted his representation on
19.05.2026 and the same is pending.
5. Considering the fact that the festival is scheduled to be held on
29.05.2026, the 3rd respondent, namely, the Tahsildar, Vedasandur Taluk, Dindigul District, is directed to conduct a meeting on 28.05.2026 by summoning both parties and to take an appropriate decision on or before
28.05.2026, in accordance with law.
6. With the above directions, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.
