The court directed the police to grant permission for a cultural event subject to strict conditions regarding public order and compliance with established police guidelines, setting aside a prior summary rejection.

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.05.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.MURALI SHANKAR W.P.Crl.(MD) No.2866 of 2026 K.Arumugam ...Petitioner Vs.

1.The State of Tamil Nadu, represented by The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sattur, Viruthunagar District.

2.The Inspector of Police, K.Alangulam Police Station, Viruthunagar District. ... 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 to grant permission and provide adequate police protection for conducting a cultural adal padal programme in connection with the Sri Kandiyarappan Temple Kodai festival at Kandiyapuram Village, Virudhunagar District, scheduled on 03.06.2026 between 07.00 p.m. and 11.00 p.m. based on the petitioner's representation dated 16.05.2026 submitted before the second respondent in person and the subsequent representation dated 25.05.2026.

For Petitioner : Mr.P.Krishnasamy for Mr.M.Pandian For Respondents : Mr.S.Sivasubramanian Counsel for State of TN (Crl. Side)

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking Mandamus, directing the respondents to grant permission and provide adequate police protection for conducting a cultural adal padal programme in connection with the Sri Kandiyarappan Temple Kodai festival at Kandiyapuram Village, Virudhunagar District, scheduled on 03.06.2026 between 07.00 p.m. and 11.00 p.m. based on the writ petitioner's representation dated 16.05.2026 submitted before the second respondent in person and the subsequent representation dated

25.05.2026.

2. Mr.Siva Subramanian, learned Counsel for State of TN (Criminal Side)

takes notice for the respondents.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner would submit that the writ petitioner has submitted a representation, dated 16.05.2026, to the second respondent seeking permission to conduct the “Aadal Paadal”

programme on 03.06.2026 in connection with the Sri Kandiyarappan Temple Kodai festival at Kandiyapuram Village, Virudhunagar District.

4. When the matter is taken up today, the learned Counsel for State of TN (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondents would submit that the second respondent has passed an order dated 29.05.2026 rejecting the writ petitioner's representation to conduct the adal padal programme on 03.06.2026.

5. As rightly contended by the learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner, since the writ petition is pending before this Court, this Court is at loss to understand as to how rejection order came to be passed.

6. At this juncture, the learned Counsel for State of TN (Criminal Side)

appearing for the respondents would submit that they may be permitted to conduct the Adal Padal programme on 03.06.2026 from 07.00 p.m to 10.00 p.m. and the organizers may be directed to follow the conditions to be imposed.

7. At this juncture, the learned counsel appearing for the writ petitioner would submit that they will conduct the adal padal programme peacefully without causing any disturbance to public peace, communal harmony, law and order or inconvenience to the general public.

8. Considering the above facts and circumstances and taking note of the submissions made on either side, the rejection order dated 29.05.2026 passed by the second respondent is set aside.

9. It is brought to the notice of this Court that the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, Chennai, has issued a Circular Memorandum in Rc.No. 007301/Genl.I(1)/2019, dated 09.04.2019, prescribing guidelines and instructions to the Inspectors of Police throughout the State for consideration of applications seeking permission to conduct