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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 52145
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
L. Victoria Gowri, J
P. Krishnan – Appellant
Versus
District Collector, Virudhunagar District – Respondent
W.P.Crl.(MD)No.3159 of 2026
For the Appellants/Petitioners: M. Jothi Basu
For the Respondents: D. Rajaboopathy, M. R. Priyanka Jothi
Excommunication of individuals from worshipping in a temple or participating in religious activities cannot be countenanced and is legally impermissible.
Headnote:The petitioner approached the court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Mandamus to direct authorities to act against individuals engaging in excommunication (Kattapanchayatdars) and to form a peace committee regarding the Ookavalan Temple. The petitioner alleged long-term excommunication from religious activities and worship within the temple. The court examined whether the exclusion of a resident from worshipping in a temple could be legally sustained. While the government respondents noted that the specific temple festival had concluded and an amicable settlement was reached for that occasion, the court focused on the systemic issue of excommunication. This writ petition is disposed with the above directions.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. request for state intervention against illegal excommunication and temple access disputes. (Para 1) |
| 2. reporting of temporary resolution via amicable settlement for a specific festival. (Para 2 , 3) |
| 3. judicial prohibition of excommunication and ensuring unconditional right to temple entry. (Para 4 , 5) |
| 4. final disposal of the petition with mandatory directions. (Para 6) |
PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 6 to take action against the Kattapanchayatdars, who are engaged in excommunication and from a peace committee to resolve the issue of Ookavalan Temple, Petharendhal Village, Mushtakurichi Post, Kariapatti Taluk, Virudhunagar District, on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 26.05.2026 within the stipulated time by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.M.Jothi Basu
For Respondents : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy (R2, R5 & R6)
Government Advocate (Crl.Side)
Ms.M.R.Priyanka Jothi (R1, R3 & R4)
Government Advocate (Civil)
ORDER
This petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the respondents 1 to 6 to take action against the Kattapanchayatdars, who are engaged in excommunication and from a peace committee to resolve the issue of Ookavalan Temple situated at Petharendhal Village, Mushtakurichi Post, Kariapatti Taluk, Virudhunagar District, on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 26.05.2026 within the stipulated time by this Court.
2. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Government Advocate, Ms. M.R. Priyanka Jothi, appearing for respondents 1, 3 and 4, submitted that the temple festival had already concluded by the end of May 2026 and, therefore, the relief sought in the present writ petition has become infructuous.
3. The learned Government Advocate, Mr. D. Rajaboopathy, submitted that, on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 26.05.2026, CSR No. 13 of 2026 was registered and notices were issued to the petitioner as well as the private respondents. It was further submitted that, upon enquiry by the respondent police, the parties arrived at an amicable settlement of their disputes and the private respondents have undertaken not to obstruct the petitioner's participation in the temple festival.
4. Heard the learned counsel on either sides and carefully perused the materials placed before this Court. Considering the nature of the order proposed to be passed in this petition, notice to the seventh respondent is dispensed with.
5. Considering the grievance of the petitioner that he has been excommunicated from worshipping in the said temple for several years and has not been permitted to participate even in the day-to-day religious activities and worship conducted therein, this Court is of the considered view that such exclusion cannot be countenanced. Accordingly, the private respondents are restrained from excommunicating the petitioner or any other resident of the village and from preventing them from entering the temple, offering worship, or participating in temple festivals, religious functions and other activities conducted therein, either now or in the future.
6. This writ petition is disposed with the above directions.
16.06.2026
NCC : Yes / No
Index : Yes / No
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