M.Gajendran vs Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Trichy

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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 43964

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Victoria Gowri, J
M.Gajendran – Appellant
Versus
Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, Trichy – Respondent
Writ Petition

Important Points

The High Court may issue a direction under Art. 226 of the Constitution to facilitate community events like temple festivals by mandating the involvement of revenue authorities in mediating local disputes through the formation of an inclusive peace committee to ensure public order and representative participation.

Subject

Writ Jurisdiction - Mandamus

Act Referred

Constitution of India: Art.226

Headnote

The petitioner sought a Writ of Mandamus under Art. 226 of the Constitution of India, requesting police protection and permission to conduct a temple festival. The court examined the feasibility of the request amidst competing claims between the petitioner and local villagers regarding temple administration and the conduct of previous peace committee meetings by revenue authorities. The court determined that a fresh peace committee meeting was required to resolve the disputes and facilitate the inclusive conduct of the festival. Issues centered on whether the court should direct the authorities to grant festival permission despite existing administrative disputes and claims of rival factions. The court relied on the necessity of maintaining public order and equitable participation, observing that the administration of temple affairs should involve villagers to prevent conflicts, thereby necessitating a structured resolution through a peace committee.

Result: The writ petition was disposed of with directions to the fourth respondent to convene a peace committee meeting and facilitate the conduct of the festival.

Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: R.G.Shankar Ganesh
For the Respondents: M.Muthumanikkam, S.Ravi, N.Sudhagar Nagaraj

Table of Content
1. summary of facts involving conflicting claims over temple festival organization and prior administrative actions. (Para 1 , 2 , 3)
2. court intervention via peace committee to ensure inclusive festival conduct and community participation. (Para 4 , 5)

7.Perumalsamy ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 3 to 4 to grant permission to conduct the festival and consequently direct the respondents 5 and 6 to provide adequate police protection for the festival scheduled from 01.05.2026 to 11.05.2026 at Arulmigu Sri Peelikan Muneeswarar Temple and Arulmigu Sri Angala Easwari Temple situated at Kamaraj Nagar, Northern Side, Airport, Trichy, based on the petitioner's representation dated 27.03.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.G.Shankar Ganesh For R1 to R4 : Mr.M.Muthumanikkam Government Advocate (civil)

For R5 & R6 : Mr.S.Ravi Additional Public Prosecutor For R7 : Mr.N.Sudhagar Nagaraj

ORDER

Seeking to direct the respondents 3 to 4 to grant permission to conduct the festival and consequently, direct the respondents 5 and 6 to provide adequate police protection for the festival scheduled from 01.05.2026 to 11.05.2026 at Arulmigu Sri Peelikan Muneeswarar Temple and Arulmigu Sri Angala Easwari Temple situated at Kamaraj Nagar, Northern Side, Airport, Trichy, based on the petitioner's representation dated 27.03.2026, this writ petition has been filed.

2.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted the 7^th respondent is creating troubles in peaceful conduct of the temple festival and sought the indulgence of this Court in conducting a peace committee and facilitate the conduct of temple festival.

3.The learned Government Advocate submitted that already a peace committee has been convened on 05.04.2026 by the Tasildar, Trichy (East), in which, the fourth respondent had passed the proceedings recording the fact that already the lock and key put up by one A.S.P.Saravanan @ Ganendran, who is the petitioner herein, was broken open and the temple has been dedicated to the villagers, who have taken over the administration of the temple. The day to day poojas of the temple are being conducted by the poosari engaged by the villagers. It was also decided that the date for conducting the temple festival would be fixed after the conclusion of the election.

4.Heard either side and carefully perused the materials available on record.

5.Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the fourth respondent is directed to convene a peace committee meeting on 03.06.2026 after issuing notice to the petitioner as well as the rival group. Thereafter, the fourth respondent shall facilitate the conduct of the temple festival by ensuring the participation of all villagers, including by constituting a committee with adequate representation from all factions of the village.

6.With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of.